LONDON (AP) – Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing increased pressure to take action against Elon Musk following the billionaire's incendiary remarks during an anti-immigration rally in London. Musk, known for his ownership of X and Tesla, addressed the demonstration via video link, urging attendees to prepare for violence and declaring that they must "fight back or you die."
The rally, titled "Unite the Kingdom," drew more than 100,000 participants and was spearheaded by the far-right campaigner Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. Starmer condemned violence during the event, which saw 26 police officers injured—four seriously—amid clashes between protesters and a smaller anti-racist counter-demonstration. The Metropolitan Police reported 25 arrests during the rally, with additional arrests anticipated.
Starmer has yet to address Musk's comments directly, but he has emphasized the importance of peaceful protest as a core value of the nation. On X, he commented against violence towards police and reiterated that no person should feel intimidated based on their background or skin color. Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has called for Starmer and Conservative opposition leader Kemi Badenoch to collectively denounce Musk's remarks, suggesting sanctions for the billionaire as a consequence of his actions.
Equalities Minister Jacqui Smith labeled Musk's statements as "wrong and dangerous," while Business Secretary Peter Kyle described them as "totally inappropriate." Both officials highlighted the risks posed by incendiary rhetoric, even as Kyle noted that the very act of demonstrating illustrates that free speech remains vigorous in the UK.
In a previous context, Musk has allied with various far-right figures in Europe, including Tommy Robinson, and has criticized the UK government’s efforts to regulate harmful online content, claiming such measures threaten free speech. The demonstration is part of a larger dialogue around immigration in the UK, particularly concerning the increasing number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats—over 30,000 in the current year alone.
The use of hotels as accommodations for asylum seekers has become a polarizing political issue, inciting numerous small but tense protests throughout the summer, some escalating into violence. This past Saturday's rally, characterized as one of the largest nationalist gatherings in Britain in decades, flooded central London with various flags, prominently featuring the Union Jack and England's St. George flag.
The flags have become more visible across the nation, associated with a grassroots "fly-the-flag" campaign. Simultaneously, some properties have been marked with red crosses, seen by many as threatening gestures aimed at ethnic minority populations. In response, Starmer asserted on X that "Britain is a nation proudly built on tolerance, diversity, and respect," and proclaimed that the flag symbolizes the diverse nature of the country. He vowed that it would not be surrendered to those who misuse it to promote violence and division.
