While the Christmas period may have been festive, it certainly was not free from any political news and Elon Musk featured heavily. The owner of X (formerly Twitter) has taken a keen interest in UK politics, and the Government in particular. Recently, Musk has attacked the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and the Safeguarding Minister, Jess Phillips MP, for allegedly failing to prosecute grooming gangs. Government ministers have defended their colleagues, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting, labelling these attacks a “disgraceful smear” and saying Phillips had “done more than most people ever do” to fight against sexual abuse.
Nigel Farage MP, leader of Reform UK, took a slightly different view to the Health Secretary, saying Musk has used “very tough terms” but praised Musk by adding that he believed free speech had been restored on X. This came after Farage had distanced himself from the tech mogul’s position on jailed far-right activist Tommy Robinson, which may have caused Musk to call for Farage to be replaced as leader of Reform UK, saying he didn’t “have what it takes.”
Whilst there is likely no immediate threat to Farage’s leadership of Reform UK, the episode does spell out the dangers of being seen as too close to Elon Musk, with the tech mogul showing no sign of loyalty to politicians or parties of any stripe in the UK. With such keen interest shown already in UK politics, we may see more of Musk in the 2025 UK political arena.
Elsewhere, the Government has unveiled its plan to help cut the NHS waiting list backlog. Under the plans, English patients will be offered 500,000 more appointments a year through seven-day health hubs. NHS services will be guided to increase the use of technology to help reduce the number of unnecessary appointments and admissions. With the public downbeat on the state of the NHS prior to the 2024 election, (only 28 percent of the public believe it provides a good service nationally), the importance of improving the health service over the duration of this Parliament will be paramount for the Government.
Across the pond, the United States Congress will officially certify Donald Trump as the victor of the 2024 election, and the 47th President of the United States. This will also mark four years since the January 6th riot, in which Trump supporters attempted to thwart the certification of President Biden’s 2020 election victory. Heavy security is expected at the certification, with Senator Amy Klobuchar saying she is “unaware” of any attempt by Democrats to object to the certification.
What’s on in Parliament
Monday 6th January
House of Commons
- Oral Questions: Defence
- Backbench Business: Backlog in the NHS
- Westminster Hall Debate: e-petition 700143 relating to a general election
House of Lords
- Oral Questions: Effect of level of rail fares on the cost of living
- Legislation: National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill - Second Reading
Tuesday 7th January
House of Commons
- Oral Questions: Health & Social Care
- Westminster Hall Debate: Fiscal impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on Scotland
House of Lords
- Legislation: Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill - Second Reading
Wednesday 8th January
House of Commons
- Oral Questions: Science, Innovation & Technology
- Ten Minute Motion: Quantitative Easing (Prohibition)
- Legislation: Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: Second Reading
House of Lords
- Legislation: Bus Services (No.2) Bill – Second Reading
Thursday 9th January
House of Commons
- Oral Questions: Transport
- Business Statement: Business Questions to the Leader of the House
- General Debate: Tackling violence against women and girls
House of Lords
- Oral Questions: Affordability of water bills
- Debate: Report from the Science and Technology Committee 'Long-duration energy storage: get on with it
Consultations
- Reforming the Right to Buy – Closes 15th January
- Consultation on criminal justice joint inspection programme – Closes 7th January
- RVAR 2010 exemption: Chiltern Railways passenger information system – Closes 7th January