A former Reform MP who is now standing against Nigel Farage's party has been accused of prioritising his own ego over the national interest, as his campaign could inadvertently benefit Labour's Andy Burnham.
Polling Predictions
Polls indicate that Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain party might split the right-wing vote in the upcoming Makerfield by-election, paving the way for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to secure a victory. This outcome could position Burnham as a future radical left-wing prime minister.
According to recent polling, Burnham is just three points ahead of Reform's candidate, plumber Robert Kenyon, while Restore Britain's Rebecca Shepherd holds a crucial 7 percent of the vote in third place.
Rupert Lowe's Background
Lowe was originally a member of Nigel Farage's Brexit Party, the forerunner to Reform UK, and became a Reform MP in 2024. He was expelled from the party the following year amid allegations of bullying and threats of violence against fellow Reform members, which he denies. A police investigation into the claims was later dropped. Lowe, MP for Great Yarmouth, sat as an independent before launching Restore Britain.
Lowe stated yesterday that Reform is 'incandescently angry' about Restore's candidacy in Makerfield. He also criticised Reform's stance on immigration, promising that his party would oversee the deportation of 'entire communities' and branding foreign rapists and their accomplices as 'that cancer'.
Reform's Response
A senior Reform source dismissed Lowe's impact, saying he 'cares more about his ego and vanity than what's best for the country'. They added: 'Our internal figures show Restore on a tiny, single-figure percentage. The only thing they can succeed in doing by standing is gifting the seat to Labour and Andy Burnham.'
This comes after Nigel Farage criticised US tech billionaire Elon Musk for endorsing Restore Britain, warning that Burnham would be 'delighted' by the fracturing of the right-wing vote.
Expert Analysis
Luke Tryl of the think tank More in Common UK commented: 'While Restore Britain is unlikely to score huge numbers of votes themselves, if they achieve a low share they could make all the difference. Our spring poll projected Reform would be on the cusp of a majority without Restore standing. But if Rupert Lowe's party were to achieve as low as 3 percent, that could cost Reform up to 70 seats and make forming a government far harder.' He added: 'Early polling suggests Restore's vote could be the difference between Labour or Reform winning Makerfield.'
Local Election Success
In the local elections earlier this month, Farage fell short of a majority on Norfolk County Council. However, Great Yarmouth First, an affiliate local party of Restore Britain, won a landslide in the town, securing all nine council seats.
Senior Reform figure Matt Goodwin warned: 'I think unless all patriotic voters unite behind Reform in Makerfield, then Andy Burnham will win, call an early snap general election and put Britain under a hard-Left government until 2031.'
Lowe's Response
Lowe countered: 'The increasingly desperate attacks from every Reform politician proves one thing – their internal data matches what we are finding in Makerfield. They have nothing left. Restore Britain is going to make history in Makerfield.'
Internal Party Issues
Over the weekend, Restore Britain's branch organiser for Huddersfield resigned, claiming the party had fallen into a 'state of paralysis' and is run through 'obfuscation and misdirection'.
Reform also faced questions about their Makerfield candidate Robert Kenyon, who on a now-deleted X account supported a post using degrading sexual language about former Countdown star Carol Vorderman. Reform MP Danny Kruger defended Kenyon, saying he had been talking on social media as if he were 'chatting to their friends in the pub'. He added: 'I'm not going to judge people for what are essentially regarded at the time, and intended as, private conversations. He's deleted that post and regrets it.'
