Urgent Review on Foreign Interference in UK Politics

I agree. Very scary

It’s been happening for a long time. Let’s hope that people will now wake up to how they are being manipulated by foreign powers ( but I’m not holding my breath). I’ve always questioned what Cummings was up to during his time in Russia. Or Johnson’s links to Lebdedev ( sp). Etc.

I see it as more than the actions of some politicians, it’s the use of social media platforms and the spread of misinformation to influence the electorate coming directly from foreign powers which is aimed at destabilisation. Any UK government can no longer be truly in control whilst this continues.

Yes. Social media infiltrated and the gullible or susceptible easily duped into believing.

How much was paid to Farage recently? Elon Must saying he will support Farage.
That has to be stopped. That is foreign interference.
Yes, social media AI and bots, should also be examined.

There most certainly is a lot of foreign interference in this country! This government is stupid enough to fall for it!

What do you mean love0c?

About time! I've been banging on about Johnson and Lebedev for a long time and I was very concerned when the media seemed to move swiftly past the story of Nathan Gill. No one gets ten and half years for holding their grubby hands out unless they are giving something of value in return. We need to know exactly what he was being paid to do and which other MEPs/ contacts etc also had their noses in the Russian trough. I am very pleased and I suspect there might be some very worried MPs and ex MPs.

The Chief of Staff gave a speech yesterday, and he recognised this foreign interference in all areas of the U.K.

Anyone imo who has expressed admiration for Putin or indeed now - Trump, simply cannot have the best interests of the U.K. at heart.

China is also heavily involved. I hope the rest of Western Europe takes similar steps.

Elon Musk promised Farage a large donation end of last year, a sum of £80-100 million was mentioned. Farage argued that it would be a donation from X not a personal donation. However some "specifics" were not met- so it didn't happen at that stage.

I wonder what those specifics were, on which agreement has not yet been reached. It's common sense Musk wanted something in return for his "investment", sorry donation from X.

Nathan Gill, former leader of Reform UK in Wales, accepted Russian bribes as a Reform to give pro Russian speeches interviews and speeches, ie against Ukraine. This was covert and illegal.

It is not difficult therefore to understand the concern raised by foreign interference in UK politics, as well as such huge sums of money donated to political parties overtly in return for "specifics". Musk has huge reach via X.

Trump's "unusual" diplomacy, admiration of Putin, antipathy towards Europe, admiration of emerging far right factions in Europe, trade wars, expansionist MAGA ideology is not something the UK needs. Farage's admiration of Trump and aspects of his MAGA ideology could be perceived as potential risk of foreign interference unless proper safeguarding checks and balances are put in place in place.

Therefore I think this review is timely, in order to protect our democracy from foreign interference.

It is timely, and once completed I hope it is acted on.

I am pleased this is finally being done.

Furret

Yes. Social media infiltrated and the gullible or susceptible easily duped into believing.

Indeed I was only reading today this report by The Guardian.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/dec/13/fake-anti-labour-video-billion-views-youtube-2025

MI6 chief has now stepped in to warn the U.K. of Russian interference. We’ve had head of navy, chief of staff and Cooper all saying the same.

It is time we stopped complacency, and took Putin totally seriously Putin is now full on expansionist and is doing so by destabilising Europe. He has unfortunately been successful - think Brexit, Hungary etc. Figures like Farage, Gill, Johnson and others have all been beguiled by Putin.

It has to stop.

Whitewavemark2

MI6 chief has now stepped in to warn the U.K. of Russian interference. We’ve had head of navy, chief of staff and Cooper all saying the same.

It is time we stopped complacency, and took Putin totally seriously Putin is now full on expansionist and is doing so by destabilising Europe. He has unfortunately been successful - think Brexit, Hungary etc. Figures like Farage, Gill, Johnson and others have all been beguiled by Putin.

It has to stop.

Agreed WW.

Trump also appears beguiled by Putin and, in the recent US Defence Strategy document, he (Trump) made it quite clear he would promote specific political parties in Europe / UK i.e. interfere in our democratic system.

These things are happening in plain sight; about time the government did something to address it!

Listening to comments.

Tommy Robinson it is thought has almost certainly been groomed by Russia.

Excellent thread. yes, an investigation is now well over due.

Perhaps the truth about Cummings and Johnson and a parade of others, will be revealed.

Yet again I will recommend the Rest is Politics podcast with Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart. Yesterday’s podcast was on this very topic - Russian influence over many areas. Why was Putin so keen for trump to win in 2016 and again this time! Rory was very disheartened. We should all be very worried indeed.

I’m most concerned about the influences we don’t yet know about. There is obviously a lot going on in the background, or we would not be getting these warnings about threats from Russia. I suspect there will be some big exposures, it is going to be a very difficult time ahead.

Ladyleftfieldlover

Yet again I will recommend the Rest is Politics podcast with Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart. Yesterday’s podcast was on this very topic - Russian influence over many areas. Why was Putin so keen for trump to win in 2016 and again this time! Rory was very disheartened. We should all be very worried indeed.

Yes, I listened yesterday. It is scary.

I think TRIP is the most wide ranging podcast there is available, it really can’t be recommended enough.

Yes. Social media infiltrated and the gullible or susceptible easily duped into believing.

Indeed I was only reading today this report by The Guardian.

I burst out laughing when I saw this comment and response.