Elton John sends Keir Starmer stern letter as he says 'you need to protect us'

Many singers, including Sir Elton John, have pleaded with Prime Minister Keir Starmer to make changes in the UK's music industry. The Rocketman star has joined forces with more than 400 other creatives, including , Sir Ian McKellen, and Florence Welch, in a bid to update copyright laws in a way that protects them from artificial intelligence.

In a letter to the , Elton, 78, urged the politician to "protect" them and their works ahead of a key vote in the House of Lords on Monday (May 12). He and the other creatives want the PM to back an amendment, proposed by Baroness Beeban Kidron, to the Data (Use and Access) Bill that would require developers to be transparent with copyright owners about using their material to train AI models.

The open letter explained that the amendment would "allow both AI developers and creators to develop licensing regimes that will allow for human-created content well into the future."

Sharing his words to , the singer penned: "The first job of any government is to protect its citizens. So, we urge His Majesty's government to accept the Lord's amendments in the name of Baroness Kidron."

Elton continued to say that the amendment "puts transparency at the heart of the copyright regime and allows both AI developers and creators to develop licensing regimes that will allow for human-created content well into the future."

He added: "To parliamentarians on all sides of the political spectrum and in both Houses, we urge you to vote in support of the UK creative industries. Supporting us supports the creators of the future. Our work is not yours to give away."

Baroness Kidron previously said: "The UK is in a unique position to take its place as a global player in the international AI supply chain, but to grasp that opportunity requires the transparency provided for in my amendments, which are essential to create a vibrant licensing market."

It is not the first time that creators have come together to fight against copyright and AI laws. In February, artists including Annie Lennox and Damon Albarn released a silent album to protest about the government's proposed changes to copyright law.