Tech billionaire calls for ‘dissolution of parliament’ at Tommy Robinson rally as Liberal Democrat leader brands rhetoric ‘deeply dangerous’
Elon Musk has been accused of endorsing violence in Britain after telling protesters they must “fight back or die” during a virtual address to the “Unite the Kingdom” rally in London on Saturday.
The world’s richest man delivered an incendiary speech via video link to an estimated 110,000 to 150,000 protesters, calling for the immediate dissolution of parliament and warning that “violence is coming” to Britain through what he described as “massive uncontrolled migration.”
“Whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you,” Musk told the cheering crowd. “You either fight back or you die, that’s the truth.”
The Tesla and X owner’s comments sparked immediate condemnation across the political spectrum, with Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey accusing him of fuelling extremism and calling for politicians from all parties to unite against his “deeply dangerous and irresponsible rhetoric.
Call for Regime Change
Speaking to far-right activist Tommy Robinson on stage via video link, Musk demanded immediate political upheaval in Britain, bypassing the democratic process entirely.
I really think that there’s got to be a change of government in Britain,” he declared. “You can’t – we don’t have another four years, or whenever the next election is, it’s too long. Something’s got to be done. There’s got to be a dissolution of parliament and a new vote held.”
The billionaire, wearing a T-shirt reading “What would George Orwell think?”, painted an apocalyptic picture of Britain’s future, claiming he was witnessing “a destruction of Britain, initially a slow erosion but rapidly increasing erosion of Britain with massive uncontrolled migration.”
He accused the government of failing in its “fundamental duty” to protect citizens, referencing what he described as children being “gang-raped” and claiming the BBC was “complicit in the destruction of Britain.
Political Condemnation
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey led the criticism, stating: “Elon Musk openly called for violence on our streets yesterday. I hope politicians from all parties come together to condemn his deeply dangerous and irresponsible rhetoric. Britain must stand united against this clear attempt to undermine our democracy.”
Davey later added: “These far-right thugs do not speak for Britain,” referring to the violent elements within the protest who attacked police officers.
Labour sources told The Independent that “threats of violence have no place in our politics, and every politician who believes in democracy should distance themselves from these disgusting comments.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned protesters who attacked and injured police, warning that “anyone taking part in criminal activity will face the full force of the law.
Violence Mars Demonstration
The rally, organised by Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon), descended into violence as the afternoon progressed, with 26 police officers injured – four seriously. Injuries included broken teeth, a possible broken nose, a concussion, a prolapsed disc and a head injury.
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence. They confronted officers, engaging in physical and verbal abuse, making a determined effort to breach cordons in place to keep everyone safe.”
At least 25 arrests were made as Robinson supporters attempted to breach police lines separating them from approximately 5,000 counter-protesters organised by Stand Up To Racism. Officers were punched, kicked and struck by bottles as extra riot police were deployed to maintain order.
Charlie Kirk Tribute and ‘Left as Party of Murder’
Musk’s speech included tributes to Charlie Kirk, the American conservative activist shot dead at Utah Valley University earlier in the week. The crowd observed a moment of silence followed by a bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace.
The left is the party of murder and celebrating murder,” Musk declared. “I mean, let that sink in for a minute, that’s who we’re dealing with here.”
He also launched an attack on what he called the “woke mind virus,” claiming it was “super-racist, super-sexist” and “anti-Christian.
“A lot of the woke stuff is actually super-racist, it’s super-sexist and often it’s anti-religion, but only anti-Christian, like why anti-Christian? That’s unfair,” he said, adding that advancement should be based on “merit” rather than identity.
International Far-Right Coalition
The rally featured speakers from across Europe’s far-right movement, including French politician Eric Zemmour, who promoted the white nationalist “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, Danish People’s Party leader Morten Messerschmidt, Petr Bystron of Germany’s Alternative for Germany party, and Polish MEP Dominik Tarczynski.
Notable absences included Steve Bannon and Jordan Peterson, both of whom had been billed to speak but failed to appear.
Ben Habib, who recently left Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party to found Advance UK, was the only UK politician to attend, declaring: “We stand for democracy and against the international institutions. They are not democratic, they are bureaucratic technocrats who want to silence you.”
Social Media Backlash
Musk’s comments prompted widespread criticism on social media, with one user writing: “If that isn’t a call for threatening and violent action, I don’t know what is?
Another added: “The billionaires have too much influence. They are transnational and loyal to no creed or country but their own interests.”
James frontman Tim Booth expressed anger after their hit song “Sit Down” was used in a video posted by Robinson highlighting the protest’s size, saying the band is “looking into our options.”
Police Operation
More than 1,600 officers were deployed across London to manage the demonstrations, with 500 brought in from other forces. Metropolitan Police Commander Clair Haynes had stated before the event that the force was “used to delivering the sort of complex and large-scale policing operation that is required to keep the public safe.
By 4:30pm, the Met reported continuing to “see significant aggression directed at officers by Unite the Kingdom protesters,” with additional officers in protective equipment deployed in multiple locations, supported by police horses.
Debris including smashed bottles, Union flags, beer cans, flag poles and horse manure littered the area between the opposing protest groups by the end of the day.
Growing Concerns
The scale of Saturday’s demonstration – described by anti-fascist group Hope Not Hate as “Britain’s largest ever far-right protest” – combined with Musk’s inflammatory rhetoric has raised serious concerns about the radicalisation of political discourse in Britain.
The tech billionaire’s intervention comes amid rising anti-immigration sentiment in the UK, with Reform UK establishing itself as a significant political force and protests regularly targeting hotels housing asylum seekers.
Musk’s call for violence and immediate regime change represents a dangerous escalation in rhetoric from a figure with enormous global influence and a platform reaching hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
As investigations continue into the violence and authorities work to identify and prosecute those involved in attacking police, questions remain about the responsibility of influential figures like Musk in stoking tensions and potentially inciting violence through their rhetoric.
The government now faces pressure to respond decisively to what critics describe as an attempt by a foreign billionaire to undermine British democracy and encourage political violence on the streets of London.
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Image Credit:
Elon Musk at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado (7 April 2022) — photo by Trevor Cokley / U.S. Air Force, public domain (U.S. federal government work)
