Senior Tories urge Elon Musk not to support UK reforms

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Conservative shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith has urged Elon Musk to take a second look at the Conservative Party before donating to Reform UK, highlighting his party's low-tax and anti-woke credentials.

The tech billionaire discussed the idea of ​​donating to Reform UK during a meeting with party leader Nigel Farage and new treasurer Nick Candy on Monday at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, according to Farage.

The prospect of the world's richest man making a major donation to Farage's populist right-wing party has raised alarm within the Conservative Party, which fears being outflanked by Reform UK at the next general election.

It also comes as Britain's election watchdog calls for changes to British law to protect the electoral system from foreign interference.

Griffith described Musk as an incredibly talented businessman with an interest in Britain and issues such as freedom of speech and the woke mind virus.

i would say [Musk] Griffith told the Financial Times in an interview on Wednesday that he should look at what the Conservatives are doing.

He insisted the Tories were the best vehicle to oppose Sir Keir Starmer's Labor government.

If you're serious about opposing this very socialist government, which many see as a threat to free speech, you should really look at the entire menu before actually jumping into a specific process, Griffith said.

The shadow business secretary highlighted his role helping people, including Farage, who said he was denied bank accounts because of his political views when he was London secretary last year.

He also pointed to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch's criticism of the now-closed NHS Tavistock clinic on children's gender identity in London.

Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith said Musk was concerned about the woke mind virus. Charlie Bibby/FT

The prospect of Musk supporting UK reform came into focus this week when he, Farage and former Tory donor and property mogul Candy were photographed together at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence.

Farage posted the photo on the Musks Musk responded: Of course.

Griffith declined to comment on whether Musk, a key Trump ally, actively wants to donate to conservatives instead, saying it is not his role.

But the shadow business secretary said she had spoken to senior members of the incoming Trump administration and shared their views on how to spend taxpayers' money more wisely.

I'm not pretending to run to Mar-a-Lago and tweet about it, but I spent a week in Washington talking to people inside and outside the potential administration about what might happen to government efficiency, Griffith added.

Also on Wednesday, Badenoch's spokesperson said the Tory leader is a big fan of Elon Musk and what he did with X.

Badenoch supported the British version of the Doge Principles, President Trump's planned Department of Government Efficiency, which Musk would co-lead, her spokeswoman added. The advisory group aims to cut through bureaucracy.

“Badenoch believes there is too much regulation and our first response was that there is more government in the UK,” her spokeswoman said.

He did not provide figures for how much spending Badenoch would cut under the UK efficiency programme, but said:

According to experts, Musk may be capable of donating to Reform UK or another British political party.

Although British law prohibits foreigners from donating directly to British political parties, corporate donations are only permitted if the company is registered and incorporated in the UK and carries on business in the UK. Musk has UK business interests, such as X, its UK subsidiary.

The Electoral Commission said on Wednesday it was in talks with the government about changing the law on donations from British companies so that only profits earned in the UK could be donated to political parties. But Downing Street has signaled that reform is not imminent.

Meanwhile, Downing Street refused to comment on Musk's vocal opposition to Starmer.

The Prime Minister's spokesman said Prime Minister Starmer had been very clear that we looked forward to working with President Trump and his entire administration.

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