"The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes," Musk said on his social media platform X on Sunday, a few hours after Farage described him as a friend who made Reform look "cool." Musk — a close ally of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump — had seemingly backed Farage and posed for a photograph with him last month. Farage has previously said he is in negotiations with Musk about the billionaire donating to Reform to help it challenge the dominant Labour and Conservative parties. Musk has previously sought to influence British politics and has criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer repeatedly since anti-immigration riots last summer.

Elon Musk called for Nigel Farage to step down as the leader of Britain's Reform UK party, questioning his capability. This came hours after Farage praised Musk. The disagreement escalated over Musk's support for Tommy Robinson, leading to Farage distancing himself from Musk.

Write to letters@thetimes.co.ukSir, The government’s efforts to speed up waiting times for routine treatments are to be applauded (news, Jan 4). Here in East Sussex, as long ago as the 1980s, community hospitals in the smaller towns were envisaged as a necklace of support for the main hospitals providing exactly the diagnostic provision and GP support needed to avoid the gridlock that we find at major hospitals today. Much of the equipment needed for this back-up was funded by the community as people realised the potential of their local hospital and the invaluable services on offer. Decades have passed but the template is there for the present government to follow to achieve their ambitions. Chris GebbieFormer NHS authority member, Ringmer, E SussexSir,

Elon Musk called for Nigel Farage's resignation as Reform UK leader, despite previous praise. The rift appears related to Farage's stance on jailed activist Tommy Robinson. Musk's criticisms of UK politicians and support for free speech on his platform X add to the controversy.

Photo: ReutersReform UK leader Nigel Farage. Farage doesn’t have what it takes," Musk said on his social media platform X on Sunday, a few hours after Farage described him as a friend who made Reform look "cool". Musk - a close ally of United States President-elect Donald Trump - had seemingly backed Farage and posed for a photograph with him last month. Farage has previously said he is in negotiations with Musk about the billionaire donating to Reform to help it challenge the dominant Labour and Conservative parties. Musk has previously sought to influence British politics and has criticised Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer repeatedly since anti-immigration riots last summer.

Mr Elon Musk (left) had seemingly backed Mr Nigel Farage and posed for a photograph with him in December 2024. PHOTOS: AFP, REUTERSElon Musk turns on UK’s Nigel Farage, says he should quit as Reform party leaderLONDON – Mr Elon Musk said Mr Nigel Farage should quit as leader of Britain’s right-wing Reform UK party in an abrupt withdrawal of support by the US billionaire for the Brexit campaigner who is trying to shake up the British political establishment again. “The Reform party needs a new leader. Mr Musk – a close ally of US President-elect Donald Trump – had seemingly backed Mr Farage and posed for a photograph with him in December 2024 . But he was unlikely to criticise Mr Musk directly, given the billionaire’s proximity to Trump, the newspaper said.

It was an abrupt turnabout, even for the easy-come, easy-go nature of alliances in President-elect Donald J. Trump’s political orbit. For weeks, Elon Musk, Mr. Trump’s billionaire backer, had wrapped his arms around the British populist politician, Nigel Farage, promoting his insurgent, anti-immigrant party, Reform U.K., as the answer to Britain’s problems. But on Sunday, Mr. Musk posted, “The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes.”Mr. Musk did not explain his change of heart. Mr. Farage has distanced himself from Mr. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon and who has multiple criminal convictions in addition to a history of Islamophobic statements.

Musk's comments have drawn sharp reactions, with health secretary Wes Streeting calling Musk’s criticism “misjudged and certainly misinformed.”Musk also criticised Starmer’s government for its alleged complicity, and he called for new elections despite the Labour Party’s landslide victory in July 2024. Critics, including pollster Luke Tryl, have argued that Musk, who is increasingly involved in British politics, "has no handle on UK politics. "Musk’s remarks went beyond the grooming cases. He described Robinson as being jailed "for telling the truth" and demanded his release, posting “Free Robinson” on X.Musk’s involvement in UK politics took a new turn when he criticised Reform UK leader Nigel Farage on X, urging him to step down. Musk stated, “Farage doesn’t have what it takes,” and suggested that the party needs a new leader.Musk appeared to back this idea, calling for a replacement and seemingly endorsing Rupert Lowe as a potential leader.

Kingston Upon Thames is the 18th best place to live in the UK, according to data from The Times. It also rolled in the number of listed buildings per area, the number of community-listed companies, and how many parks with Green Flags there were. Each area was ranked equally based on these measures, and the house price of each area calculated too. According to all its measures, Richmond is the best place in Britain to live in because of its schools, 80 per cent GP satisfaction and the lowest crime rate in London. According to the data, the average house price in our borough is £557,000 and it has 161 listed buildings.

Several members of the US-led military bloc have recently expressed “frustration” over the UK not contributing enough to defensive shields to protect Europe from possible long-range strikes, the British newspaper reported. The demand is contained in the bloc’s paper, called the Capability Target 2025, which was seen by The Times. Senior military sources told The Times that the UK “is in peril now”, but in 15 years, a ballistic missile “will be able to hit Britain from anywhere in the world”. Royal Navy warships, which are taking part in the US-led operation against the Houthis in Yemen, are in danger of being struck by more advanced ballistic missiles provided to the group by its allies, the sources added. They also claimed that UK’s overseas military bases, including those in Cyprus, are facing “a growing risk” from non-state actors and terrorists.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak makes a speech outside Number 10 Downing Street to announce the General Election. Credit: Toby ShepheardThis was a very wet day indeed in Downing Street as Rishi Sunak called the surprise General Election. Credit: Toby ShepheardI was fortunate enough to spend some time this year shadowing Stefan Rousseau, who is Chief Political Photographer at the Press Association. Credit: Toby ShepheardAnother early start, this time for a heat wave sunrise where temperatures of 30 degrees were forecast. Credit: Toby ShepheardFormer BBC News presenter Huw Edwards leaves Westminster Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.

You Can't Miss This Hora - Inside Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco's First Hanukkah As Engaged CoupleHollywood star-singer Selena Gomez , who began her career as a child actress, has said that her pet peeves are people who are late.Gomez, who recently announced her engagement to record producer Benny Blanco , told W Magazine: "My pet peeves are people who are late. "She also dislikes being given preferential treatment just because she's famous, reports femalefirst.co.uk.She said: "I don't like how people treat other people if they treat me differently. "Gomez recently was seen alongside Karla Sofia Gascon and Zoe Saldana in ' Emilia Perez '. I'm more comfortable singing in Spanish, so doing an entire film was a little intimidating. I'm really proud of the choices I've made, because I go for the parts that scare me a little.

Weather Alert...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EST TUESDAY... * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 8 and 12 inches, with amounts of 18 inches possible in isolated spots if heavy banding sets up in this area. * WHERE...Portions of north central and western Maryland, northwest Virginia, and eastern and panhandle West Virginia. * IMPACTS...Conditions will rapidly deteriorate tonight with untreated and unplowed roads becoming impassable for the Monday morning and evening commutes. A second round of heavy snow is likely Monday evening before precipitation ends Monday night.

Britain’s public companies are coming under increasing threat from aggressive US activist investors, as flagging valuations prompt overseas hedge funds to sink their teeth into the FTSE. Activist funds launched 59 campaigns against the UK’s listed companies last year, more than anywhere else in Europe and the fourth-highest in the world. German companies fended off 38 campaigns, while Swiss firms dealt with 19 attacks, and French firms 12. The figures come from a new report by the management consultancy Alvarez and Marsal (A&M). These changes can range from forcing a company to spin off a failing division

We’re just a bit worried about her … She seems manic.”“Manic? What do you mean?”“I think it’s best you come in?”The first night I realised that something was seriously wrong with my daughter Rowan was in late 2021. Our mental health felt fragile, like everyone’s, but we’d made it, and this was the other side. The world was waking up, like Sleeping Beauty after a long sleep, and the air fizzed with possibilities. Rowan, like all her friends, bolted into her 16th year with enthusiasm and joy.