What's happened
Rupert Lowe, former Reform UK member, launched the Restore Britain party in Great Yarmouth, aiming to unite local and national far-right groups. The move follows his expulsion from Reform UK amid allegations of bullying and threats, with support from figures like Elon Musk and Tommy Robinson. The party plans to contest local elections and expand nationally.
What's behind the headline?
The launch of Restore Britain by Rupert Lowe signifies a notable shift within the UK far-right landscape. Lowe's departure from Reform UK, amid allegations of bullying and internal strife, highlights ongoing factionalism and personal rivalries that continue to fragment the movement. The support from figures like Elon Musk and Tommy Robinson underscores the strategic use of social media and celebrity endorsements to galvanize support among niche nationalist and ethnonationalist audiences.
This move is likely to intensify competition among far-right groups, potentially splitting votes and weakening Reform UK's influence. Lowe's emphasis on decentralization and localism suggests a tactical shift, aiming to build grassroots support that could challenge established parties in key marginal seats. The broader implication is a more fragmented and aggressive far-right, which could influence upcoming local and national elections.
The timing of this launch, amid ongoing debates over immigration, national identity, and economic policy, indicates that Lowe aims to capitalize on dissatisfaction with mainstream politics. If successful, this could lead to increased support for ethnonationalist policies and further polarization within UK politics. The next few months will reveal whether Lowe's strategy will consolidate support or further dilute the far-right vote, impacting the overall political landscape.
What the papers say
The Independent reports on Lowe's background, his expulsion from Reform UK, and the launch of Restore Britain, emphasizing his controversial history and recent support from Elon Musk and Tommy Robinson. The Guardian provides context on Lowe's rhetoric and the far-right's internal dynamics, highlighting the potential for increased fragmentation among anti-immigration parties. Both sources illustrate the ongoing realignment within the UK far-right, with Lowe positioning himself as a disruptive force aiming to reshape the political spectrum. The contrasting perspectives reveal a movement torn between personal rivalries and strategic ambitions, with some viewing Lowe's efforts as a genuine attempt to mobilize grassroots support, while others see it as a fragmentation of existing efforts that could weaken the broader nationalist cause.
How we got here
Lowe was expelled from Reform UK in 2025 after allegations of bullying and threats. He then established Restore Britain as a movement, which has now become a formal political party. The launch coincides with Lowe's bid to contest his Great Yarmouth seat and aims to serve as an umbrella for local groups. The move reflects ongoing fragmentation among far-right factions in the UK, with Lowe attracting support from prominent activists and influencers, including Elon Musk, who has publicly endorsed him. The party's decentralised structure contrasts with Reform UK's top-down approach, signaling a shift in far-right politics towards more localized and ethnonationalist strategies.
Go deeper
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Rupert James Graham Lowe is a British Reform UK politician and businessman, who has served as Member of Parliament for Great Yarmouth since 2024. He has served as Reform UK's Business and Agriculture spokesman since 2023.
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Reform UK is a populist political party in the United Kingdom. It was founded as The Brexit Party with a focus on Euroscepticism in November 2018, until being renamed on 6 January 2021.
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Nigel Paul Farage is a British politician. He has been leader of the Brexit Party since 2019, and served as Member of the European Parliament for South East England from 1999 until the United Kingdom's exit from the EU in 2020.
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Gavin Alexander Williamson CBE MP is a British Conservative politician serving as Secretary of State for Education since 2019 and the Member of Parliament for South Staffordshire since 2010.
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