Why the Prime Minister is right to stand up to Elon Musk
The Prime Minister is right to say Elon Musk is trying to “whip up division” in the UK over Henry Nowak’s murder and said Britain needs to “assert who we are” as “reasonable, tolerant people”.
While politicians have been reluctant to call out the billionaire, given that he owns social media company X, it is time that policymakers stood up to the foreign tech tycoon.
Musk has spent several years playing the role of provocateur under the guise of free speech. It is Britain’s communities that pay the price for his incitement.
Starmer also backed Labour MP Jess Asato who has filed a claim at the High Court in a bid to seek accountability for the design choices that allowed X’s artificial intelligence (AI) tool Grok to create fake images of her, including in a bikini.
It is a reminder of the need to bring social media companies in line with publishers as to what they can and can’t publish, despite the squeals of the likes of Musk that it would be a violation of free speech.
During his visit to York, the PM also said that “there are questions that need to be answered” over the treatment by police of Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed after being stabbed.
Whipping up division is not the answer. What is needed is a forensic examination as to the conditions that led up to this tragedy. The National Police Chiefs Council is reviewing anti-racism guidance, as it should be. There can never be another repeat of what happened to Henry Nowak.
Change is not going to come from the social media outbursts of a billionaire sat in Texas. But through robust policies implemented by true leaders.