For Sale: The British Government
How to apply: Send money
There is a strong argument to suggest that President-elect Donald Trump would not be on his way to the Oval Office had it not been for substantial amounts of cash.
Unlike the United Kingdom, where strict limits apply to how much money can be spent in an individual constituency and broadcast advertising is heavily regulated, no such restrictions exist in the United States.
The 2024 election saw one prominent, public donor step forward to back Donald Trump: Elon Musk. The billionaire entrepreneur contributed millions of dollars to ensure Trump secured the presidency. As a reward, the South African-born magnate gains control of a non-department—the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—as a non-elected official. Musk will have a direct speed-dial line to the President and will not hesitate to use it.
Flying 3,600 miles east from Washington, D.C., one arrives in London, England—more specifically, in the small town of Clacton-on-Sea, located in the county of Essex.
The newly elected Member of Parliament for the town is Nigel Farage of Reform UK. The constituency, home to around 85,000 people, is not a wealthy area. Significant poverty exists in the Jaywick neighborhood, recognized as the most deprived area in the entire United Kingdom. Farage won the seat in the July 2024 general election on his eighth attempt to enter Parliament.
Clacton, Frinton-on-Sea, Walton-on-the-Naze, and Jaywick make up the bulk of the constituency. These names are largely unknown outside Essex and almost certainly not familiar to Elon Musk.
However, following his success in the U.S. election, Musk has reportedly turned his sights on the UK and Nigel Farage. The “President-maker” now appears poised to become the “Prime Minister-maker.”
Recent reports suggest that Musk is prepared to fund the Reform UK party in the lead-up to the next general election, due by July 2029. While this may seem far off, there will be numerous by-elections, council elections, and mayoral races in the interim. Reform UK has already won some local council seats since July 2024.
What Reform UK lacks is money—something Musk has in abundance. For the world’s richest man, a relatively small donation would be transformative for the right-wing party and its ambitions.
Currently, foreign donations are not banned in the UK. While some have called for changes to the rules to prevent Musk from making significant contributions, there seems to be little action from the Labour government to push this forward.
The UK’s electoral system differs significantly from that of the United States. In Britain, voters elect a single representative from their constituency to serve in Westminster. The party with the most seats forms a government, even if a majority of voters supported other parties. For example, in 2024, Labour won 411 of the 650 seats with just 33.7% of the popular vote. In contrast, Reform UK garnered 14.6% of the vote but won only five seats.
What impact would Elon Musk’s funding have on UK politics? For one, Reform UK would instantly become the wealthiest political party, capable of fully funding campaigns for parliamentary, local, and mayoral elections over the next five years. With significant resources, the party could also attract cross-party defections during the current Parliament.
In 2024, Reform UK finished second in 98 constituencies and came close to victory in several of them. With Musk’s backing, the party could build on this foundation, potentially winning a significant number of seats in 2029.
While political and election advertising is effectively banned on UK radio and television, Musk’s funding could support the creation of a Fox News-style TV station that promotes the party without resorting to traditional paid ads. GB News, which already exists, could serve this purpose, although it is regulated by Ofcom and has faced scrutiny for breaching broadcasting rules.
Online and social media advertising, which is less strictly regulated, could also be used to disseminate promotional content. A sustained campaign funded by Musk could have a long-term impact on public opinion.
Whether Elon Musk decides to back his close friend Nigel Farage and Reform UK remains uncertain. Musk may instead choose to focus on “advising” President-elect Trump.
However, if substantial funds flow across the Atlantic into Reform UK’s coffers and are strategically deployed, Elon Musk could transition from President-maker to Prime Minister-maker, with Nigel Farage as his beneficiary.
Is the UK government up for sale? British politics may be ripe for manipulation. Watch this space.