Elon Musk Accused of Undermining UK General Election via Social Media
Labour MPs raise concerns over Musk's use of platform X to influence British politics, calling for action against foreign interference.
In a development that has stirred political waters across the United Kingdom, Labour MP Johanna Baxter has brought accusations to the House of Commons that billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has attempted to 'undermine' the recent general election and sought to 'depose' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The claims were made during a session of Home Office questions, spotlighting the potential influence of Musk's social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, on British politics.
This emerging controversy is centered on a series of provocative statements Musk shared with his 212 million followers on X. The outspoken billionaire, who has increasingly engaged in international political discourse, recently criticized the UK Prime Minister for opposing another national inquiry into grooming gangs, bluntly accusing him of being 'complicit in the rape of Britain' based on his previous role as director of public prosecutions.
Adding fuel to the fire, Musk labeled Home Office Minister Jess Phillips a 'rape genocide apologist', stirring concerns over her safety.
MP Johanna Baxter's comments underscored a plea for the UK Government to robustly address foreign interference.
'Recently, the owner of social media site X has used his sizable platform to undermine the democratic result of last July’s general election, has stirred up hatred towards the member for Birmingham Yardley (Ms Phillips) putting her safety at risk, and has sought mechanisms to depose the Prime Minister,' Baxter asserted, urging action from the Government's defending democracy task force.
In response, Home Office Minister Dan Jarvis acknowledged the urgency of the situation, affirming the Government's commitment to rapidly addressing such incidents.
The implications of these actions have resonated with the public, as a recent poll from Opinium indicates a majority of 53% view Musk's involvement in UK politics negatively.
Notably, 47% regard his controversial comments on grooming gangs as 'unhelpful'.
The political debate also underscored ongoing legislative efforts to counteract violence against women and girls.
Labour MP Tracy Gilbert expressed gratitude to Minister Jess Phillips for her work and reiterated the need for robust government strategies to address issues such as prostitution and commercial sexual exploitation.
Responding, Phillips highlighted forthcoming amendments to include these issues in the comprehensive violence against women and girls strategy.
Despite the criticisms, Jess Phillips received staunch support from Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, emphasizing her proactive role in addressing modern slavery and child sexual exploitation.
Cooper lauded Phillips for placing the experiences of trafficking victims at the forefront of the department’s initiatives, including innovative schemes with law enforcement to monitor potential sites of exploitation.
This case presents a complex intersection of global technology influencers, local politics, and the sovereignty of democratic processes, capturing international attention and prompting critical discourse on the role of social media in contemporary governance.
The claims were made during a session of Home Office questions, spotlighting the potential influence of Musk's social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, on British politics.
This emerging controversy is centered on a series of provocative statements Musk shared with his 212 million followers on X. The outspoken billionaire, who has increasingly engaged in international political discourse, recently criticized the UK Prime Minister for opposing another national inquiry into grooming gangs, bluntly accusing him of being 'complicit in the rape of Britain' based on his previous role as director of public prosecutions.
Adding fuel to the fire, Musk labeled Home Office Minister Jess Phillips a 'rape genocide apologist', stirring concerns over her safety.
MP Johanna Baxter's comments underscored a plea for the UK Government to robustly address foreign interference.
'Recently, the owner of social media site X has used his sizable platform to undermine the democratic result of last July’s general election, has stirred up hatred towards the member for Birmingham Yardley (Ms Phillips) putting her safety at risk, and has sought mechanisms to depose the Prime Minister,' Baxter asserted, urging action from the Government's defending democracy task force.
In response, Home Office Minister Dan Jarvis acknowledged the urgency of the situation, affirming the Government's commitment to rapidly addressing such incidents.
The implications of these actions have resonated with the public, as a recent poll from Opinium indicates a majority of 53% view Musk's involvement in UK politics negatively.
Notably, 47% regard his controversial comments on grooming gangs as 'unhelpful'.
The political debate also underscored ongoing legislative efforts to counteract violence against women and girls.
Labour MP Tracy Gilbert expressed gratitude to Minister Jess Phillips for her work and reiterated the need for robust government strategies to address issues such as prostitution and commercial sexual exploitation.
Responding, Phillips highlighted forthcoming amendments to include these issues in the comprehensive violence against women and girls strategy.
Despite the criticisms, Jess Phillips received staunch support from Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, emphasizing her proactive role in addressing modern slavery and child sexual exploitation.
Cooper lauded Phillips for placing the experiences of trafficking victims at the forefront of the department’s initiatives, including innovative schemes with law enforcement to monitor potential sites of exploitation.
This case presents a complex intersection of global technology influencers, local politics, and the sovereignty of democratic processes, capturing international attention and prompting critical discourse on the role of social media in contemporary governance.
