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Conservative shadow minister Andrew Griffiths has urged Elon Musk to take another look at the Conservative Party before donating to Reform UK, highlighting his party's low-tax, anti-woke credentials.
The tech billionaire discussed the idea of donating to Reform UK during a meeting at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on Monday with party leader Nigel Farage and its new treasurer Nick Candy, according to Farage.
The possibility of the world's richest man making a large donation to Farage's right-wing populist party has raised concern within the Conservative Party, which fears that the British Reform Party will overtake it in the next general election.
It also comes as Britain's electoral watchdog calls for changes to UK law to protect the electoral system from foreign interference.
Griffiths described Musk as a “very talented businessman” with interests in the UK, and was concerned about issues such as freedom of expression, or what he called the “woke mind virus.”
“I would say to (Musk) or Nick, look at what the Conservative Party is doing,” Griffiths told the Financial Times in an interview on Wednesday.
He said the Conservatives were the best way to oppose the Labor government led by Sir Keir Starmer.
“If you're really serious about providing opposition to this socialist government, which a lot of people believe is a threat to free speech, actually, you know, take a proper look at the full list before jumping down any particular path,” Griffith said.
The shadow business secretary stressed his role as a City of London minister last year in helping people, including Farage, who said they were blocked from opening bank accounts because of their political views.
He also pointed to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's criticism of the now-closed NHS Tavistock clinic in relation to children's gender identity in London.
The possibility of Musk's support for reform in the UK emerged this week, as he, Farage and former Tory donor and property mogul Candy were photographed together at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence.
Farage posted the image on Musk's X platform on Tuesday with the caption: “Britain needs reform.” “Absolutely,” Musk replied.
Griffiths declined to comment on whether he wanted Musk, a prominent Trump ally, to instead donate to the Conservative Party, saying that was not part of his role.
But the shadow business secretary said he had spoken to senior figures in the incoming Trump administration and shared their views on seeking to spend taxpayers' money more wisely.
“I'm not pretending I was going to Mar-a-Lago and tweeting about it, but I spent a week in Washington talking to people in and about the potential administration and what would happen about the efficiency of government,” Griffiths added. .
Also on Wednesday, a spokesman for Badenoch said the Tory leader was a “huge fan of Elon Musk and what he's done with X.”
Her spokesman added that Badenoch supported the principle of the British version of “Doge”, which is Trump's management of government efficiency that he will co-lead. The advisory unit aims to reduce bureaucracy.
Her spokesman said Badenoch “believes there is too much regulation, and too often our first response is more government” in Britain.
He did not set a figure for how much spending Badenoch would cut under the UK's efficiency programme, but said: “There is a lot of fat to be trimmed.”
Musk is expected to have the ability to donate to the UK Reform Party or any other British political party, according to experts.
This is because while UK law prohibits foreigners from making donations directly to British political parties, the rules allow companies to make donations as long as they are registered and incorporated in the UK, and do business in the country. Musk has business interests in the UK, such as the British arm of Company X.
The Electoral Commission said on Wednesday it was in talks with the government about changing the British corporate donations law to ensure parties only donate profits they make in the UK. However, Downing Street has indicated that no reform is imminent.
Meanwhile, Downing Street declined to comment on Musk's vocal opposition to Starmer.
The prime minister's spokesman said Starmer “has been very clear that we look forward to working with President Trump and his entire administration.”
