Published January 07,2025
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British lawmaker Richard Burgon has strongly condemned Elon Musk‘s current inflammatory remarks focusing on the UK authorities, calling the billionaire tech mogul an instance of how “the superrich are out of control.”
Speaking to Anadolu, Burgon, an impartial MP for Leeds East, criticized Musk’s repeated interventions in British politics, describing them as anti-democratic and harmful, and emphasizing the necessity to test the affect people like him wield over democratic methods.
In his most up-to-date provocation, Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, posted a ballot on X asking customers whether or not the US ought to “liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government.”
The ballot rapidly gained traction, amassing over 1.75 million votes, with 57.8% voting in favor.
This stunt follows months of escalating tensions between Musk and UK officers. Liberal Democrats chief Ed Davey joined the criticism, urging the UK to summon the US ambassador for a proof.
“People have had enough of Elon Musk interfering with our country’s democracy when he clearly knows nothing about Britain,” Davey mentioned.
– UK POLITICS NOT MUSK’S ‘PLAYTHING’
Burgon didn’t mince phrases in his response to Musk’s actions, asserting that billionaires like him view politics as their playground.
“They’re not elected, and we need their money out of our politics,” he mentioned. “We need a really democratic approach … The richest man on Earth shouldn’t think that our democratic system is his plaything.”
Burgon additionally highlighted the function of Musk’s platform in amplifying dangerous rhetoric. “I don’t think we need to take any lectures from the richest man on Earth, who’s peddling far-right nonsense on his social media platform,” he mentioned.
Musk, already a outstanding determine in Donald Trump’s incoming administration, has more and more used X to weigh in on delicate political points within the UK, a detailed US ally.
Recently, he criticized the Labour authorities over its dealing with of historic youngster abuse instances, accusing Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips of being a “rape genocide apologist,” and calling for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to be ousted and imprisoned over alleged failures in prosecuting grooming gangs.
The tech billionaire’s remarks have fueled additional division within the UK, significantly after violent far-right riots erupted in Southport following the stabbing of three younger youngsters final July.
As misinformation on social media, together with claims that the suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker, exacerbated the unrest, Musk’s feedback a few “civil war being inevitable” within the UK added gas to the fireplace.
– ‘BAD NEWS’ FOR US AND BEYOND
Musk’s political interventions haven’t been restricted to criticism of the Labour authorities, as he attracts widespread scrutiny for endorsing far-right figures and actions.
For instance, Musk initially supported Nigel Farage, chief of the populist right-wing celebration Reform UK. However, their alliance soured after Musk advocated for the discharge of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also called Tommy Robinson, the jailed founding father of the far-right English Defence League.
Defining Musk as “anti-democratic,” Burgon warned: “He’s bad news for the US, in my personal view, but he’s also bad news for here if he is whipping up hatred in our communities.”
Musk’s controversial interventions aren’t confined to the UK. European leaders have additionally expressed concern about his rising affect in political affairs.
French President Emmanuel Macron has accused Musk of supporting a “new international reactionary movement” and interfering in elections, together with Germany’s upcoming legislative polls.
In December, Musk endorsed the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), claiming, “Only the AfD can save Germany.” He additionally criticized Italian judges for blocking a migrant switch association, stating that they “need to go.”
Burgon concluded by calling for stricter measures to curb the political interference of billionaires like Musk: “We need to tackle our problems, and we can’t have politics as a plaything of the richest man on Earth.”
Source: www.anews.com.tr