Elon Musk told tens of thousands at a far-right “Unite the Kingdom” rally in central London on Saturday that Britain needed a change of government — even calling for a “dissolution of parliament” and warning that “violence is coming” if people did not act!
Musk, the US-based owner of X, used his appearance to rail against what he described as a “woke mind virus” and urged ordinary Britons to wake up to a perceived national crisis. “I really think that there’s got to be a change of government in Britain,” he said. “Something’s got to be done. There’s got to be a dissolution of parliament and a new vote held.” He also warned: “Whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you. You either fight back or you die, that’s the truth, I think.”
The video link was one of several high-profile interventions at the rally, which drew an estimated 110,000 people to central London. Organisers billed the march as a “festival of free speech”; critics said it amplified racist conspiracy theories and anti-Muslim rhetoric. French far-right figure Éric Zemmour and media provocateur Katie Hopkins were among other invited speakers.
Musk framed his remarks as an appeal to “British common sense” and criticised recent UK politics, including the Online Safety Act, which he has previously called a threat to free speech. He also referenced the recent killing of US conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, accusing the political left of celebrating the murder and declaring “the left are the party of murder,” comments that are likely to provoke further controversy.
The huge turnout quickly overwhelmed planned staging areas, with thousands stuck on Westminster Bridge and Parliament Square as Whitehall filled. Organisers said the event was intended to show patriotic unity; opponents called it a show of force by nationalist groups.
Around 5,000 counter-protesters, including trade unions and anti-fascist groups, marched a separate route through central London. The two groups were kept apart by police, but organisers on both sides reported tense moments as the day unfolded. Footage from the scene showed crowds waving Union flags and chanting, while some performers at the rally staged provocative displays designed to inflame the audience.
Musk’s intervention is the latest example of his engagement in British political debates. He has previously sparred with UK ministers over issues including online regulation and public safety, and has courted figures across the political spectrum — at times publicly backing certain personalities and at others distancing himself amid disputes.
Saturday’s speech will add fresh fuel to debates about the role of tech billionaires in public life, how overseas figures influence domestic politics, and the responsibilities of platforms in amplifying polarising messages. For critics, Musk’s words — urging constitutional upheaval and suggesting imminent violence — are irresponsible. For supporters at the rally, they served as a galvanising call to action.
The rally comes at a fraught moment for British politics, and organisers on both sides said they planned further demonstrations. Authorities face the immediate task of managing public order while politicians and commentators weigh in on the wider implications of a tech CEO calling publicly for the dissolution of parliament in a foreign democracy.
