Dr Ben Spencer

MP for Runnymede and Weybridge. Shadow Minister for AI. Chertsey resident and Brooklands fanatic!

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

Live music is amazing! @BloodRedShoes

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

AI companies are no different to other businesses in that they need a competitive tax and regulatory environment, the same factors that are holding back business in the UK hold them back too. But if you wanted something more specific, the noises from the Government are to bring the UK in line with the EU AI Act and the EU Cloud and AI Development Act. This would be absolutely catastrophic, not just for AI companies and SME AI adoption but for general businesses as well.

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

If the Government was actually serious about supporting UK AI companies and AI adoption it would get out of the way and reverse its anti-business polices.

The Government doesn’t build AI, business does.

[Dan Tomlinson MP @dantomlinsonmp]

This is an underexplored part of the Budget in the UK debate so far.

We've made big calls to back UK strategic position in AI. Good for our country, and our place in the AI revolution.

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

It was a general point based on the framing of the article that compared AISI and its international counterparts based largely on investment, rather than AISI's vision and people, technical excellence, and the collaborative relationships it has formed with the frontier labs.

But it's one that is important for us across the whole tech sector - we are competitive because of our people, our academic institutions, our skills and technical excellence, our innovators and start ups, and our position between the US and the EU with strong relationships with Japan, Korea, Taiwan etc. Not because of how much tax payers' money the Government can throw at a problem. As I keep saying, the Government doesn't build AI, business does.

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

The Government needs to be clear with businesses and the public, its position on Chinese Open Weight AI and the security risks, in the light of the US announcement to ban DeepSeek from its public procurement.

I have tabled a series of questions in Parliament to try to get the clarity our country needs.
https://t.co/MFRYNC82Ab

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

The Government needs to be clear with businesses and the public, its position on Chinese Open Weight AI and the security risks, in the light of the US announcement to ban DeepSeek from its public procurement.

I have tabled a series of questions in Parliament to try to get the clarity our country needs.
https://t.co/MFRYNC82Ab

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

Finally an answer.

Is the Minister for AI really saying he doesn’t know if the Government is or isn’t procuring and using open weight AI models from China? 🤯

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

AI is built by business, not by government.

The Government should cut burdens on British firms, fix grid connection delays, and categorically reject EU protectionism.

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

AI is built by business, not by government.

The Government should cut burdens on British firms, fix grid connection delays, and categorically reject EU protectionism.

[Kanishka Narayan MP @KanishkaNarayan]

1/7 I have two simple tests for British AI, driven by our values. Is it safe? And is it ours to shape? 🇬🇧

Today, Chancellor @JohnHealey_MP is announcing a major, ambitious package of investment to strengthen Britain's defences against emerging threats, back British innovation, and build our technological independence.

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

Ben talks AI: Lets talk about Siri AI on iPhones and EU regulation

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

And how much would the EU AI Act and other EU overregulation cost UK business, both in direct compliance costs and lost opportunities?

[BBC News (UK) @BBCNews]

Chancellor plans to cut 'pointless paperwork' to save businesses up to £800m https://t.co/YUa2KyohXN

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

Finally an answer.

Is the Minister for AI really saying he doesn’t know if the Government is or isn’t procuring and using open weight AI models from China? 🤯

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

Finally an answer.

Is the Minister for AI really saying he doesn’t know if the Government is or isn’t procuring and using open weight AI models from China? 🤯

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

Now a month late. Still no response from the Government on Chinese AI…

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

Now we know why they are not answering - but the Government needs to make its position clear on Chinese AI as a matter of urgency.

https://t.co/n1ZhMQlLn1

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

Now a month late. Still no response from the Government on Chinese AI…

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

If considering risks of greater EU alignment, you need look no further than the Cloud and AI Development Act. The EU's latest offering for 'the worst idea in the long, sad history of bad ideas.'

[Neil O'Brien @NeilDotObrien]

The EU’s new AI law is a bad idea.
Cutting European governments off from using the best AI is a bad idea - and Britain shouldn’t join in.

https://t.co/zpMSBnDELo

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

Whatever your view on data centres, everyone should be concerned that the inability to provide grid connections is throttling our economy.

[The Telegraph @Telegraph]

Microsoft has pulled out of an Essex data centre deal in a blow to British company Nscale’s plans for a multibillion-dollar listing.

The decision threatens to undermine Nscale’s attempts to push ahead with a Wall Street flotation worth up to $35bn (£26bn), despite a brutal sell-off in AI computing stocks.

🔗 https://t.co/TYNMcEHCE9

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

With Labour having already raised taxes by an estimated £60bn each year, and the IFS reporting that the Government is still facing a financial gap totalling tens of billions to meet their spending commitments, residents across Runnymede and Weybridge are nervous about what additional burdens the Budget this month may impose.

Your home, your business, your savings. Nothing is beyond consideration of those who see prosperity as a target. We need a different approach, one that celebrates success and rewards those who work hard and invest in their future.

This week I spoke in Parliament about the growing tax burden facing hardworking families and businesses in Surrey and the South West, and the choice residents will face at the next election.

In my speech, I made it clear that we should be backing enterprise, encouraging investment and rewarding aspiration, not penalising it. Creating growth and opportunities for future generations.

The tax burdens people face are already too high. The welfare burden is too great, and we need to invest in our country’s defence. This Government promised growth, but they have delivered growing debt and taxation. They promised hope but instead are bankrupting our children’s futures.

This Government needs to change course or call an election.

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

Labour is taxing family businesses, taxing family farms, taxing family homes, and raiding pensions because they cannot stop spending. There is another way with the @Conservatives

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

Now a month late. Still no response from the Government on Chinese AI…

[Dr Ben Spencer @DrBenSpencer]

Genuinely concerned as to why this seems to be difficult for the Government to answer?

[Neil Stone @DrNeilStone]

"Natural immunity to measles is better."

Natural immunity to measles can cost you encephalitis, pneumonia and "immune amnesia" that wipes out protection against other infections.

Vaccine immunity costs you a sore arm.