I don't know how much he has liquid. The article says that "most" of his 814B is tied up in Tesla stock. Selling a couple of billion worth of stock isn't trivial.
Thatcher, but it also happened elsewhere under different names, and the New Labour response to it. And then technology outstripping the intellect of politicians.
Basically the introduction of private industry deep into government became commonplace under Thatcher. Blair didn't roll it back, and transitioned labour into a party that also invited private money. It was a transformation spearheaded by one Peter Mandelson. You may know him from such hits as "My best friend is Epstein" and "I was a US ambassador".
He seems to be the the introduction conduit for companies like Palantir into government.
Found the child.