Elon Musk has thrown his support behind Rupert Lowe's far-right Restore Britain party in the upcoming Makerfield byelection, potentially splitting the right-wing vote and aiding Labour candidate Andy Burnham. The tech billionaire shared a tweet from Lowe about the contest on 18 June, prompting Nigel Farage to accuse Musk of trying to split the right of British politics.
Restore Britain, founded by former Reform MP Rupert Lowe after a falling-out with Farage, is fielding Rebecca Shepherd as its candidate. A Survation poll of 369 voters in the Greater Manchester constituency, excluding undecideds, placed Restore third on 7%, Reform second on 40%, and Labour on 43%. Labour canvassers have noted growing support for Restore on the doorstep.
Farage told the Telegraph that Burnham would be 'delighted' by Musk's intervention, adding: 'Elon Musk has decided he will try to split the right of British politics as best he can. This is supporting a party that's one man with a social media account.' Restore has also gained backing from former Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne.
Lowe has recruited disgraced former Conservative MP Scott Benton to run the campaign. Benton lost the whip in 2023 after suggesting he would break lobbying rules for money. A Reform source criticised the move, saying: 'Lowe is constantly attacking us for accepting former Tories, now he is working with a Tory who resigned his seat in disgrace.'
Restore's manifesto calls for 'remigration'—mass deportations of foreign-born legal residents living in social housing or claiming benefits. At the campaign launch, Lowe used offensive language about immigrants, saying they should be 'deported to a midge-infested island offshore either England or Scotland and let the midges do the rest.' Reform figures noted Shepherd appeared uncomfortable during the remarks.
Reform is fighting back, with its X account posting 'Vote Restore, get Burnham' and MP Sarah Pochin warning: 'If you go Lowe, you get Labour.' A Reform source expressed concern: 'I think people are quite worried, because as Makerfield shows it only takes a few per cent.' Pollster Luke Tryl of More in Common said the test is whether Restore is 'just an online phenomenon or something deeper.'
