The reports about Mr Elon Musk donating US$100 million to the Reform Party has sent shock-waves through the UK’s political establishment!
There is nothing definite coming from Mr Musk’s staff but the mere possibility of such a move will have galvanised the minds of all in the Westminster bubble!
In particular of course, Comrade Starmer and the other members of the politburo.
I would not be surprised IF Mr Musk was to make such a donation, Comrade Starmer would decide to enact emergency legislation to amend the strictures on political donations. Of course, Comrade Starmer would realise that if the money is in Reform’s bank account the legislation would have to be retrospective – ex post facto.
It would be possible to do this as there are no constitutional constraints governing retroactive statues in the UK! Except of course the European Convention on Human Rights! However the convention is limited in it’s effect: The treaty provisions bar ex post facto criminalisation – ex post facto civil remedies are allowed. In other words, reform would be required by a civil ruling to pay the money back to Mr Musk and neither Reform (it’s officers) or Mr Musk could be prosecuted.
British Gazette comment: The BG is against the idea of Mr Musk depositing US $100 million in Reform’s bank account! The BG would however applaud Mr Musk were he to deposit US $100 million in the bank account of the Free Speech Union (https://freespeechunion.org/)!
As BG readers will know, a number of individuals were arrested in the wake of the recent civil disturbances following the events in Southport and most pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them and most received custodial sentences.
Some lawyers are of the opinion that some of these individuals might have been better advised to plead not guilty for the cases against some of them might not be that strong. Furthernore where the person’s guilt is non contestable there are those who would opine that their sentence is overly harsh.
In each of these types of cases some lawyers feel there are grounds for an appeal.
Appeals however cost a LOT of money!
US $100 million would come in very handy!