Reform UK/PAElon Musk, the world’s chief disruptor, met with Nigel Farage, the UK’s chief political disruptor.
And then, Reform UK published news-making, cor blimey, take-a-look-at-this photos.
But they are more than that, because they are the clearest evidence yet of the world’s richest man’s desire to be involved in — to meddle in, as some see it — British politics.
There’s another way to describe the pictures of the three men at Donald Trump’s pad, Mar-a-Lago, in Florida: the two billionaires and Farage.
When it came to meeting the even richer, Farage was accompanied by a mega-rich man.
Reform UK’s new treasurer is Nick Candy, A billionaire property developer who used to donate to the Conservatives and who happens to be married to former pop star Holly Valance.
But Candy is a pauper compared to Musk, the serial business disruptor with his rockets, electric cars and social media platform, who is now doing the same in politics.
Farage is a master of telling a political story full of intrigue that keeps people interested.
This time it was all about flashy visuals and teasing but not quite a straight answer about the donation.
Money is discussed, we’re not told how much, we don’t know for sure if it will ever happen and if it does, what the amount will be, but the next chapter has been teased – Trump’s inauguration next month. , which would be Farage. To attend
The leader of Reform UK, now back from Florida, told me Musk could give his party $US100 million ($78 million).
But numbers much smaller than that can still be huge, and game-changing for the prospects for reform.
The question is whether it will be legal – and whether it will be considered legitimate.
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Fair Elections says it will not and wants the law changed.
Downing Street says the government is committed to strengthening the rules, which currently allow donations from UK-registered companies.
The danger for the government is that any change in the law may seem self-serving and half-way changing the rules of the game.
But never before have we seen a man so rich, with such a big megaphone, so eager to act on the political stage – abroad and at home.
This raises deeper questions about how much influence and where from far away is considered too much influence.
Nigel Farage / XAnd here’s a thought experiment for you: Do you have your own instincts about how you answer questions that primarily make you think about Farage and Musk, or about the principle of foreign donations? ?
Former Conservative MP Mary Keats wrote on X: “Now imagine… a picture of Bill Gates with Keir Starmer, pledging support for the Labor Party. You’re either in favor of foreign interference in British politics. Are you for or against the billionaire person in question.”
Farage will be back across the Atlantic in a few weeks to toast Trump’s return to the White House.
On this latest visit, he also managed a photo op with US Vice President-elect JD Vance.
The Reform UK leader has friends in high places and friends with deep pockets.
No wonder he is worrying Labour, the Conservatives and others about the political threat they fear he increasingly poses to them.