elon musk and keir starmer

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Years ago, politicians were quite skeptical about using social media platforms like Twitter, now known as X under Elon Musk’s ownership. Even the then prime minister, David Cameron, once remarked that too many tweets might make someone look foolish.

Despite this initial reluctance, the platform eventually became the go-to social media tool for politicians, making it nearly inevitable for Members of Parliament to create accounts.

In recent times, Musk has been vocal against the government and Sir Keir Starmer, particularly following the recent riots in the UK. This has led many to wonder whether Labour politicians should ditch X for good.

Which Minister Has Deleted X from Her Phone?

Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, has decided to remove the app X (formerly known as Twitter) from her phone. Speaking at the Edinburgh Festival, Jess mentioned that she is “not going to use it very much” anymore.

As soon as Elon Musk took over the platform, she took the app off her phone. While she admits to having been “massively addicted” to it, she feels she is “sort of done with it” now and doesn’t wish to engage with the platform any longer.

So what’s the problem?

Earlier this week, the UK government got into a spat with Elon Musk, the owner of the platform X (formerly known as Twitter). Musk provoked a strong reaction by tweeting that a “civil war” in Britain was unavoidable.

Musk didn’t stop there. He took a jab at the prime minister by labeling him #twotierkeir. This hashtag echoed a right-wing conspiracy theory, suggesting that protesters are treated differently depending on who they are.

Adding fuel to the fire, Musk fell for fake news on his own platform, spreading false claims that the prime minister was planning to set up detention camps in the Falklands.

Government officials voiced concerns that social media posts were encouraging violence. Sir Keir Starmer is facing pressure to investigate how social media may have contributed to the unrest, and he has expressed a commitment to addressing these issues once the situation calms down.

So why don’t politicians just quit X?

Politicians have found X to be a crucial tool. It offers a unique, immediate connection to voters that was never possible before.

By sending tweets, they can instantly share their thoughts, policies, and updates.

Campaigning has also changed significantly with social media.

During the early days of the election campaign, Labour spent over £2.4 million on social media ads. This was more than double the spending of the Conservatives.

Keir Starmer faced criticism last year over a controversial tweet accusing Rishi Sunak of being lenient on child abusers.

Labour’s X account didn’t hold back either. It celebrated Starmer’s planning skills with a tweet showing him in a Team GB jacket at the Olympics, contrasting him with other world leaders struggling with plastic raincoats.

There’s also a sense among politicians and other users that the platform can improve.

For example, former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron compared X to a beloved pub taken over by a lousy owner.

Despite the changes, Farron expressed his determination to stay, believing in its potential return to better days.

These factors make it clear why politicians continue to use X, despite its challenges.

Social media remains a vital part of modern political strategy and communication.

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