Keir Starmer and Elon Musk Clash Over UK Investment and Policies

[Social Media]

 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has found himself in a renewed conflict with tech billionaire Elon Musk, following Musk's claim that "very few companies" are interested in investing in the UK. Musk's criticism, delivered via his social media platform X, accused the "current administration" of fostering policies that dissuade investment, sparking yet another row between the two high-profile figures.  

 

 

Musk’s comments come as a jab at Starmer's first six months in office, a period during which the Labour leader has focused on positioning his government as pro-business and pro-growth. In response to Musk’s assertion, a spokesperson for No. 10 Downing Street firmly defended the administration, pointing to substantial progress made since the general election.  

 

 

“I’m not going to get into commentary on individual comments," said the prime minister’s official spokesman. "But if you look at what’s happened since the election, you’ve seen £63 billion of additional investment from the investment summit. The government has addressed key concerns from businesses, particularly around stability, both politically and economically.” The spokesperson reiterated that Starmer’s government remains "unashamedly pro-growth and pro-business."  

 

This latest episode follows a string of tense exchanges between Musk and the UK government. During the summer riots in Southport, Musk controversially claimed that civil war in the UK was “inevitable.” His remarks, compounded by his engagement with posts from far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, and his retweeting of a fabricated headline about rioters being sent to detention camps in the Falkland Islands, drew widespread condemnation.  

 

The summer controversy reportedly influenced Musk’s exclusion from a prominent investment summit in London. At the time, Musk criticized the UK government, stating: “I don’t think anyone should go to the UK when they’re releasing convicted paedophiles in order to imprison people for social media posts.”  

 

Despite the friction, Musk has maintained connections with British political figures. While Rishi Sunak served as prime minister, Musk attended an AI safety summit as a guest of honor and participated in an event with Sunak. This stark contrast in relationships has added to the complexity of Musk's interactions with the current administration.  

 

Most recently, Musk rejected calls to build a new Tesla plant in Scotland, reiterating his skepticism about the UK's business climate under Starmer. "Very few companies will be willing to invest in the UK with the current administration," he posted on X on Sunday.  

 

Adding fuel to the fire, Musk is rumored to be considering a multi-million dollar donation to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, further emphasizing his alignment with figures outside the mainstream political establishment.  

 

The tumultuous relationship between Musk and the Labour government reflects broader tensions over the UK’s business policies and political stability. While Starmer’s administration highlights billions in new investments as evidence of progress, Musk’s public criticism signals persistent skepticism from influential global entrepreneurs.

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-01-03

 

 

[JonnyF]

Starmer must be gutted that Musk is not a poor working class Brit.

 

He'd have him in the gulag already with the rest of the political prisoners. Silencing and censoring Musk will not be so easy. Starmer has picked the wrong enemy this time. 

 

Well done Elon, keep up the pressure on this deeply authoritarian socialist regime. 

 

[newbee2022]

5 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has found himself in a renewed conflict with tech billionaire Elon Musk, following Musk's claim that "very few companies" are interested in investing in the UK. Musk's criticism, delivered via his social media platform X, accused the "current administration" of fostering policies that dissuade investment, sparking yet another row between the two high-profile figures.  

 

https://archive.ph/rowVQ/a15dcaa47267d8d7ae9162933ba7afdecfce0e05.jpg

 

Musk’s comments come as a jab at Starmer's first six months in office, a period during which the Labour leader has focused on positioning his government as pro-business and pro-growth. In response to Musk’s assertion, a spokesperson for No. 10 Downing Street firmly defended the administration, pointing to substantial progress made since the general election.  

 

https://archive.ph/rowVQ/b806c5fe34e255a354a0d6491f9c40cf0e0bb0ff.jpg

 

“I’m not going to get into commentary on individual comments," said the prime minister’s official spokesman. "But if you look at what’s happened since the election, you’ve seen £63 billion of additional investment from the investment summit. The government has addressed key concerns from businesses, particularly around stability, both politically and economically.” The spokesperson reiterated that Starmer’s government remains "unashamedly pro-growth and pro-business."  

 

 

This latest episode follows a string of tense exchanges between Musk and the UK government. During the summer riots in Southport, Musk controversially claimed that civil war in the UK was “inevitable.” His remarks, compounded by his engagement with posts from far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, and his retweeting of a fabricated headline about rioters being sent to detention camps in the Falkland Islands, drew widespread condemnation.  

 

The summer controversy reportedly influenced Musk’s exclusion from a prominent investment summit in London. At the time, Musk criticized the UK government, stating: “I don’t think anyone should go to the UK when they’re releasing convicted paedophiles in order to imprison people for social media posts.”  

 

Despite the friction, Musk has maintained connections with British political figures. While Rishi Sunak served as prime minister, Musk attended an AI safety summit as a guest of honor and participated in an event with Sunak. This stark contrast in relationships has added to the complexity of Musk's interactions with the current administration.  

 

Most recently, Musk rejected calls to build a new Tesla plant in Scotland, reiterating his skepticism about the UK's business climate under Starmer. "Very few companies will be willing to invest in the UK with the current administration," he posted on X on Sunday.  

 

Adding fuel to the fire, Musk is rumored to be considering a multi-million dollar donation to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, further emphasizing his alignment with figures outside the mainstream political establishment.  

 

The tumultuous relationship between Musk and the Labour government reflects broader tensions over the UK’s business policies and political stability. While Starmer’s administration highlights billions in new investments as evidence of progress, Musk’s public criticism signals persistent skepticism from influential global entrepreneurs.

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-01-03

 

 

Probably Musk's way to make new friends. He got many new "friends" lately in Germany already. I wonder who's next?

[mdr224]

26 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Starmer must be gutted that Musk is not a poor working class Brit.

 

He'd have him in the gulag already with the rest of the political prisoners. Silencing and censoring Musk will not be so easy. Starmer has picked the wrong enemy this time. 

 

Well done Elon, keep up the pressure on this deeply authoritarian socialist regime. 

 

Musks only fear was being imprisoned after trump losing, which was a possible outcome and hes going to use his life and his money to fight for his beliefs now. No liberal will be able to stop him

[jippytum]

I would back musk's buisness ideas above Starmers any day. 

Starmer's six months in office says it all. 

[JonnyF]

1 minute ago, jippytum said:

I would back musk's buisness ideas above Starmers any day. 

Starmer's six months in office says it all. 

 

Musk is a real problem for Starmer.

 

He can't jail him for "grossly offensive" tweets because he is American. He can't deplatform him because he owns the platform. He can't spread too many lies/slurs about him up because he is Trump's best mate.

 

Musk is the best thing to happen to Britain for years 😆. If only he were British. But investing in Reform via his UK subsidiaries is the next best thing. In Elon we trust.  

[John Drake]

Anything to change the subject from H1Bs.

[JonnyF]

23 minutes ago, John Drake said:

Anything to change the subject from H1Bs.

 

Anything to deflect from the topic of the thread. 

[OneMoreFarang]

Why is anybody listening to that South African guy? Just let him talk and ignore him. Obviously, that will hurt his ego, but who cares?

 

[Chomper Higgot]

2 hours ago, jippytum said:

I would back musk's buisness ideas above Starmers any day. 

Starmer's six months in office says it all. 

The business ideas Musk buys and then claims to have founded?!

[Thingamabob]

Starmer claims he has achieved  'billions of dollars-worth of new investments in the UK'. Really ?

[Purdey]

It is about time that countries moved away from money politics and put a cap on donations, with zero being the cap for foreigners. 

[JonnyF]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Why is anybody listening to that South African guy? Just let him talk and ignore him. Obviously, that will hurt his ego, but who cares?

 

 

Firstly, he is an American citizen.

 

Secondly he is one of the most influential men in US politics who just played a huge part in getting Trump re-elected.

 

Thirdly, he is the owner of one of the biggest and most influential social media platforms in the world, a tech entrepeneur and the richest man in the world. 

 

So all things considered it's pretty difficult to ignore him. 

 

Who would you suggest we listen to? Kamala Harris making a speech about being unburdened by what has been, sounding like she's just polished off a bottle of Jack Daniels? 😆

 

[JonnyF]

23 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Starmer claims he has achieved  'billions of dollars-worth of new investments in the UK'. Really ?

 

When you have a fictional black hole, why not use fictional investments to fill it?

 

It's "his truth". 

[baansgr]

To put things in perspective....Elon Musk would have been in the 101st airborne.....starmer would have been a conscientious objector...

[Chomper Higgot]

48 minutes ago, baansgr said:

To put things in perspective....Elon Musk would have been in the 101st airborne.....starmer would have been a conscientious objector...

Yeh right!

[The Cyclist]

6 months in and its all falling apart for Starmer

 

Quote

Twenty Labour councillors quit over Keir Starmer’s policies

The defections mean that Labour has lost control of Broxtowe council, in Nottinghamshire

 

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/twenty-labour-councillors-quit-over-keir-starmers-policies-knz6hcrs8

 

Starmer is a liar, incompetent, and makes turnips look like MENSA members.

[PETERTHEEATER]

This spat must be why Elon Musk was not on Keir Starmer's New Year Honours list😀