Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform Party, is preparing to travel to the US for President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, hoping to mend his fractured relationship with Elon Musk. The rift widened this week, sparked by Musk's public call for Farage's removal as party leader.
Musk, now owner of X (formerly Twitter), accused Farage of being unfit to lead, citing disagreements over jailed far-right activist Tommy Robinson. This followed Farage's earlier praise of Musk, labeling him a "hero."
Farage, in response, stated he would not "sell out" his principles, even if Musk's support could potentially bolster the party's image, particularly among younger voters. He emphasized that backing calls to embrace Robinson would be more damaging. Farage maintains his support for a private inquiry into grooming gangs, should the government fail to act within weeks. This contentious issue has sparked debate about potentially racist undertones in the matter.
Farage plans to travel to the US for the inauguration and hopes to address the issues with Musk. He insists the relationship can be salvaged, despite recent disputes, and also stated that he anticipates finding consensus during the trip.
However, Musk's criticism of Jess Phillips, a Home Office minister, and subsequent threats she and others have received, further intensified the political tension. Farage, while acknowledging the strong language, stood firm on his belief that such rhetoric doesn't cross the line into incitement of violence.
Despite accusations of fabricated membership numbers leveled by Kemi Badenoch, Farage remains unyielding and stands by his claims of significant constituent outreach efforts. He added that he purchased a house in Clacton, further underscoring his dedication to the constituency.
