Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock has blasted Elon Musk over his relentless attacks on Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Labour MP Jess Phillips, urging politicians of all stripes to unite against the tech billionaire.
“He’s Gunning for Keir”
Kinnock, who led the Labour Party for nine years until 1992, said Musk’s recent appointment as Donald Trump’s “efficiency tsar” in a forthcoming US administration only heightens the threat he poses to British politics.
“He’s the most powerful private individual in human history… He’s gunning for Keir,” Kinnock told BBC Radio 4.
“When somebody so clearly declares antagonism towards the prime minister, he should be seen as a national enemy.”
Musk’s Series of UK Interventions
For months, Musk has been using his social media platform, X, to weigh in on British affairs:
- Criticising Starmer’s economic policies
- Condemning the government’s response to last summer’s riots
- Launching personal attacks on Jess Phillips, calling her a “rape genocide apologist”
Following Musk’s vitriolic tweets, the Met Police advised Phillips not to go out in public alone due to safety concerns—underscoring how severe the situation has become.
“Enough Is Enough”
Keir Starmer publicly hit back at Musk last week, accusing him of crossing a line by suggesting Phillips should be jailed. But Kinnock believes the backlash shouldn’t stop with Labour MPs alone.
“I don’t think it should be limited to Labour supporters. We need cross-party condemnation of Musk’s behaviour,” Kinnock said.
With Musk’s influence growing—especially given his new role under a Trump administration—the ex-Labour leader warns that failing to push back could jeopardise the integrity of UK democracy.
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