UK/PA reformWorld disruptor Elon Musk meets British political disruptor Nigel Farage.
And then Reform UK published this photo, which, look, makes the news.
But they’re not the only ones. Because these are the clearest evidence yet that the world’s richest man wants to be involved in British politics – to intervene.
There’s another way to explain the photo of Farage with three men, two billionaires, at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago pad in Florida.
Farage had a very rich man next to him when he met even richer people.
Reform Britain’s new Chancellor of the Exchequer is Nick Candy, a billionaire property developer who used to donate to the Conservative Party and who also happens to be married to former pop star Holly Ballance.
But compared to Musk, who broke through serial entrepreneurship with rockets, electric cars and social media platforms, and is now doing the same in politics, Candy is a pauper.
Farage is a master of engaging, conspiratorial political storytelling.
This time, there were eye-catching images and teasing content, but no exact answers regarding donations.
Funding was discussed, but no word on how much it would be, and it’s unclear whether it will actually happen and what effect it will have, but it’s unclear whether it will actually happen or what effect it will have, but it’s likely that the money will be spent on President Trump’s inauguration next month. The next chapter has been written with Mr Farage in office. I’m attending.
The Reform UK leader, who is currently returning from Florida, told me that suggestions that Mr Musk might give the party $100m (about £78m) were a step too far.
But even a much smaller number is still very large and potentially game-changing for reform prospects.
The question is whether it is legal and whether it is considered legal.
The All Party Parliamentary Alliance for Fair Elections says this is not the case and is calling for the law to be changed.
Downing Street said the government was currently working on tightening the rules to allow donations from UK-registered companies.
The danger for governments is that changing the law can give the appearance of self-interest or mid-shifting the rules of the game.
However, I have never seen someone so wealthy, with such a big megaphone, and with so much enthusiasm on the political stage, not only domestically but also overseas.
This raises serious questions about how much influence is too far away and where is considered too much influence.
Nigel Farage/XAnd here’s a thought experiment for you. Are your own intuitions about how to answer these questions primarily driven by what you think about Farage and Musk, or what you think about the principle of foreign donations?
Former Conservative MP Miriam Cates wrote of X: “Now imagine a picture of Bill Gates and Keir Starmer pledging support for the Labor Party. You are either for foreign interference in British politics or you are against it. It doesn’t just depend on ‘you either agree with or like the billionaire in question. ”
Mr Farage plans to return across the Atlantic in the coming weeks to celebrate President Trump’s return to the White House.
During this visit, he was also able to take a photo with JD Vance, the next Vice President of the United States.
The leaders of Reform Britain have friends in high places and friends with deep pockets.
It’s no wonder he’s causing anxiety in Labor, the Conservative Party and others concerned about the political threat he increasingly poses to them.
