Josh Simons, an MP for Makerfield and a close ally of Keir Starmer, has voiced concerns about Westminster’s dependence on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting that Elon Musk is manipulating the platform’s algorithm to promote his own political and personal interests. Simons, a technology expert and former head of the think tank Labour Together, believes the British political class is dangerously addicted to X, despite its potential harms to democracy. He noted that since Musk took over the platform, its algorithm has shifted, showing him more content from Musk despite his personal disinterest.
These remarks come amidst growing unease within Labour about X’s role in spreading misinformation, particularly during the summer riots in the UK. Misinformation on X, coupled with Musk’s controversial posts, has been blamed for exacerbating the unrest. Relations between the Labour government and X have remained strained, with Musk openly criticizing the government’s policies, including its handling of social media regulation.
Simons pointed out that many Labour MPs have migrated to alternative platforms, such as Bluesky, reflecting a shift away from X among newer, tech-savvy MPs. He also highlighted the need for more nuanced discussions on AI policy, arguing that older politicians often have overly simplistic views of technology’s impact on government and society, either embracing it with utopian optimism or fearing its apocalyptic risks.
Simons’ critique adds to the ongoing debate over how social media and AI should be managed in the political sphere, emphasizing the need for a more informed and balanced approach to both technologies.
