Restore Britain, led by Rupert Lowe, has emerged as a hard‑right challenger to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and is drawing attention after public amplification from Elon Musk. The party’s tough immigration platform — including mass deportations, a burqa ban and a referendum on the death penalty — has attracted controversy and accusations of ethno‑nationalism. Polls put Restore on about 5–8% in the Makerfield by‑election, a share that could tip the result between Labour and Reform if it holds.
Restore Britain: Rupert Lowe’s Hard‑Right Breakaway Threatens Farage and Could Tip Makerfield
Lowe formed Restore as a political party in February 2026 (PETER POWELL)(PETER POWELL/AFP/AFP)
Restore Britain, a new hard‑right political party led by businessman and ex‑football chairman Rupert Lowe, has emerged as a potential spoiler for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. Backed publicly on social media by Elon Musk, Restore has adopted a markedly tougher immigration and identity agenda that has elevated its profile ahead of a crucial Makerfield by‑election.
Background
Lowe, 68, launched Restore in February after a high‑profile split from Farage last year. Elected to the House of Commons in July 2024, he currently sits as Restore’s sole MP in the 650‑seat parliament. The party’s visibility has jumped since Musk began amplifying Lowe’s posts on X at a time of heightened public debate over migration and repeated anti‑migrant demonstrations across the UK.
Policies and Controversies
Restore’s flagship policy is mass deportations: it proposes removing all irregular migrants as well as foreign nationals who commit crimes, fail to speak English or claim certain benefits. The party also supports banning the burqa and holding a referendum on reinstating the death penalty. These positions place Restore to the right of Reform UK and have prompted accusations of ethno‑nationalism from critics.
'We are bringing disaffected voters back to the voting booth,' Lowe told AFP in a WhatsApp message ahead of the Makerfield by‑election.
Critics point to inflammatory rhetoric from Lowe on social media. Campaign group Hope Not Hate has labelled him 'Britain’s most extreme MP', and reporting has linked prominent neo‑fascist figures to Restore’s online support. Parliamentary declarations show Lowe earned more than £57,000 from X since December 2024, and several of his posts have been reposted by Elon Musk, who told his large audience that 'only Restore Britain can save Britain'.
Electoral Implications
The Makerfield contest has become a tight three‑way fight in practice. Labour’s Andy Burnham and Reform’s Robert Kenyon are the principal contenders, while Restore’s local candidate, Rebecca Shepherd, is polling at roughly 5–8% and is expected to finish third. Political analysts warn that this vote share could be decisive: John Curtice has said Restore’s intervention could come between Reform and victory, while Daniel Trilling argues further losses could sap Reform’s momentum and precipitate more splits.
What This Means
Restore’s rise highlights fractures on the British right and the potential for smaller parties to alter outcomes in first‑past‑the‑post elections. Its hardline platform and high‑profile online backing raise questions about the future direction of right‑wing politics in the UK, the role of social media amplification, and the risks of radicalising public debate during sensitive local campaigns.
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