Ed Miliband, the UK’s Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, has declared it “possible” that the British government should consider leaving X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. His remarks, delivered during the Labour Party’s annual conference in Liverpool, mark the most forceful critique yet of Elon Musk’s ownership of the platform and its role in amplifying far-right narratives across Europe and beyond.
Miliband did not formally announce a withdrawal plan but warned that Musk represented “a dangerous concentration of power” that was part of a “global network of right-wing influence undermining democracy.” He stressed that ministers and civil servants must weigh whether continued official presence on X provides transparency or merely legitimises a platform rife with disinformation and toxic discourse.
The comments, coming on the same day Labour leader Keir Starmer branded Reform UK’s immigration policy “racist” and “a recipe for tearing our country apart,” show a party attempting to seize the initiative on both digital governance and political extremism.
Musk, X, and the Struggle Over Digital Accountability
Since Musk’s $44 billion purchase of Twitter in 2022 and its rebranding to X in 2023, the platform has courted controversy for rolling back moderation policies, reinstating banned accounts, and allowing subscription-based verification. Researchers at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue have found a 45% rise in hate speech and extremist amplification on the platform since Musk took control.
Governments across Europe, including Germany and France, have accused X of failing to comply with the EU’s Digital Services Act. The European Commission opened formal proceedings earlier this year, citing disinformation surrounding elections, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the Israel–Hamas conflict.
For the UK, which left the EU but passed its own Online Safety Act in 2024, Musk’s approach poses both a regulatory and moral challenge. Whitehall departments rely on X for crisis communication, public health campaigns, and counter-terror alerts. Yet, continuing to use the platform risks appearing to endorse Musk’s direction.
Labour’s Political Calculus
Miliband’s intervention fits into a broader Labour narrative of confronting perceived threats to democratic integrity. Starmer, keen to define his government as pragmatic yet principled, has prioritised climate action, industrial revival, and safeguarding democratic norms.
By raising the possibility of quitting X, Labour is testing the waters for a bold digital sovereignty move. Such a shift could reshape government communications strategy, redirecting resources toward alternative platforms such as Bluesky, Mastodon, and Threads, which have gained traction among civil society groups.
Labour strategists are also aware that Musk himself has become a lightning rod in British politics. His recent appearances alongside far-right politicians in Europe, his public sparring with EU commissioners, and his willingness to intervene in geopolitics—from Ukraine’s Starlink requests to comments on Taiwan—have fuelled suspicions about his role as a private power broker.
Risks of Leaving X
Quitting X would not be without risks. Government accounts collectively have more than 20 million followers, with the Prime Minister’s Office, NHS, and Met Police among the largest. A sudden withdrawal could hinder urgent communications during crises.
Cybersecurity experts also warn of a vacuum effect: official silence might enable malicious actors to impersonate government bodies more effectively. To mitigate this, ministers would need a coordinated transition plan that includes verified presences on alternative platforms, clear media partnerships, and public education campaigns.
On the other hand, advocates argue that diversifying away from X would reduce the government’s dependence on a single billionaire’s infrastructure. “No democracy should tether its official communications to one private corporation, especially one openly hostile to regulatory norms,” said Dr. Imran Shafi, a lecturer in digital politics at University College London.
The Wider Labour Conference Context
Miliband’s remarks were part of a fiery Labour conference weekend dominated by two themes: confronting the far-right and setting out economic renewal plans. Keir Starmer seized headlines by describing Reform UK’s immigration stance as “racist,” drawing sharp dividing lines with Nigel Farage’s insurgent party, which recent polls show commanding 19% of the national vote.
Starmer argued that Reform’s proposals—such as ending birthright citizenship and introducing caps on refugee intake—would “tear our country apart.” He added that while he sympathised with voters’ frustrations, Labour would respond with “fairness, competence, and compassion,” not scapegoating.
The Prime Minister echoed this in his closing remarks, stating that those considering Reform were “not racist but often desperate for change.” His challenge is to persuade them that Labour, not Farage, offers credible answers.
Musk’s Global Network of the Right
Miliband’s depiction of Musk as a “dangerous man” embedded in a “global right-wing network” taps into a growing narrative among centre-left parties worldwide. Musk has publicly supported figures such as Argentina’s Javier Milei and interacted warmly with European populists, including Giorgia Meloni of Italy.
In the US, Musk has drifted closer to Donald Trump’s orbit, providing tacit backing through X’s algorithms and personal statements. Analysts note that Musk’s emphasis on “free speech absolutism” aligns with far-right messaging but often sidelines marginalised voices and erodes fact-checking.
Miliband suggested that allowing such influence over Britain’s digital public square is untenable. “We cannot continue to funnel official communication through a platform increasingly hostile to truth and accountability,” he said, urging a review by Cabinet colleagues.
What Comes Next
For now, no timetable has been set for a possible government withdrawal from X. Officials inside the Cabinet Office are believed to be drawing up contingency plans, assessing reach metrics, and modelling costs of migrating to other platforms. A full decision could take months, with potential pilot programs rolled out by departments such as Health or Education first.
Industry groups, meanwhile, are lobbying for clarity. The Confederation of British Industry warned that abandoning X could make it harder for companies to follow regulatory announcements. Charities, however, welcomed the debate, saying it was high time to reconsider how governments engage with platforms that enable abuse and disinformation.
The outcome may depend on how fast alternatives mature. Bluesky, backed by Twitter’s co-founder Jack Dorsey, now hosts over 30 million users and is expanding moderation tools. Meta’s Threads has surpassed 150 million active accounts globally. Mastodon, though smaller, appeals to open-source advocates and journalists.
If Labour moves decisively, the UK could become the first major democracy to formally disengage from X, setting a precedent for others grappling with the Musk dilemma.
Conclusion
Ed Miliband’s warning crystallises a dilemma facing modern democracies: how to balance communication reach with democratic integrity in an era when private tech magnates wield extraordinary global power. His suggestion that leaving X is “possible” signals Labour’s willingness to confront not just domestic extremists but also transnational actors who shape information flows.
Whether the government ultimately leaves or stays, the debate has already shifted. Britain is no longer treating social media as a neutral platform but as a political battleground. And in naming Musk as a “dangerous man,” Miliband has elevated the question from a technical discussion of communications policy to a moral reckoning over the future of democracy itself.
