American businessman Brian Rose, known for his pro-crypto stance, is once again running for London mayor. The upcoming mayoral election, scheduled for May 2, will see Rose competing against incumbent Sadiq Khan and Susan Hall. Although Rose only secured 1.2% of the vote in the previous election in 2021, he is optimistic about improving his performance this time around. In a conversation with Cointelegraph, Rose explained his decision to run for mayor again in 2024.
Rose is a strong advocate for freedom of speech and conducts in-depth interviews on his “Digital Freedom Platform,” drawing similarities to popular podcaster Joe Rogan. His guests discuss various topics, including politics, wellness, self-improvement, and wealth, with many individuals from the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry shaping his political views.
According to Rose, the current leadership in the UK is not doing enough to promote the crypto industry. He believes that London has the potential to become a crypto-first city, attracting substantial business and industry. However, Rose feels that the UK Prime Minister and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), responsible for regulating cryptocurrencies, are falling short in supporting this vision. He argues that these organizations are essentially pushing crypto companies away, hindering progress in the industry.
Rose’s association with Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies has been long-standing. His show, London Real, regularly features influential figures from the crypto world. Through his platform, Rose has interviewed notable individuals such as Max Keiser and Andreas Antonopoulos, who have shared their insights on Bitcoin. Rose has also proposed the creation of a “London coin” as part of his policy agenda. This token would distribute £100 to each London resident, funded by a one-off 1% tax on the traditional financial sector.
Beyond financial applications, Rose believes that blockchain technology can be utilized for securing the voting system. He cites a 2005 Ipsos study indicating that a significant number of British voters are concerned about election fraud. Recent events, such as the election fraud case involving Lutfur Rahman in London and concerns expressed by Communities Minister Kemi Badenoch, have further eroded voter trust. Drawing parallels to the United States, Rose highlights the need for blockchain to provide transparency and reliability in the electoral process.
Rose’s involvement in the London Real podcast has not been without controversy. In 2020, during the UK’s COVID-19 lockdown, Rose faced criticism for hosting an episode featuring conspiracy theorist David Icke. Despite not agreeing with all of his guests’ views, Rose believes in their right to express their opinions. The episode received complaints and was removed from YouTube by the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom. Rose subsequently launched the “Digital Freedom Platform” to host his broadcasts, as he had been permanently deplatformed from YouTube. However, integrating blockchain technology into the platform has proven challenging due to bandwidth limitations.
Currently in South Carolina promoting his documentary film, “We Will Not Be Silenced,” which focuses on the censorship of London Real, Rose remains committed to his mayoral campaign. He plans to return to London to secure as many votes as possible. Rose’s performance in the election will determine whether he will be included in future televised mayoral debates, should he decide to run again. The London mayoral election is set to take place on May 2.