Nigel Farage has criticised Elon Musk for backing Restore UK, a rival right-wing party, in the upcoming Makerfield by-election. The Reform UK leader warned that the tech billionaire's support for the party, founded by former Reform MP Rupert Lowe, could fragment the right-wing vote.
Musk reposted a message from Lowe with the comment “Restore Britain” and also posted the same phrase in response to an interview by Reform’s Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick. Farage said Andy Burnham, the Labour candidate, would be “delighted” by Musk’s intervention.
“Elon Musk has decided he will try to split the right of British politics as best he can,” Farage told The Telegraph. “This is supporting a party that’s one man with a social media account. Quite what he’s trying to achieve, I have no idea.”
A Survation poll of 369 likely voters shows Burnham leading with 43%, Reform’s Robert Kenyon at 40%, and Restore’s candidate at 7%. The Liberal Democrats are on 4%, while the Green candidate, who has since withdrawn, was on 3%. The results suggest Restore could split the right-wing vote, potentially aiding Burnham.
Lowe founded Restore after being suspended from Reform UK last year over allegations he threatened then-party chairman Zia Yusuf. He denied the claims, and the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to bring charges. Lowe responded to Farage's criticism, saying, “Farage can arrogantly insult me over and over, but he has never been more wrong.”
