Farage demands rival sack aide, blocking right-wing unity talks

Key facts

• Nigel Farage is demanding Rupert Lowe sack an aide before unity talks between their parties.
• Rupert Lowe, leader of Restore Britain, previously lost the Reform UK whip after criticizing Farage.
• Lowe's party, Restore Britain, has gained traction in local elections and by-elections.
• Lowe proposed conditions for unity, including a death penalty referendum and meat bans.
• Farage and Lowe have publicly disputed their private conversations.
• The Conservative Party appears more open to engaging with Lowe than with Farage.

Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe, leaders of Britain's right-wing Reform UK and Restore Britain parties respectively, are engaged in a public dispute that is hindering potential unity talks. Farage is demanding that Lowe dismiss an aide as a precondition for discussions, a move that jeopardizes any chance of consolidating the right-wing vote ahead of the next general election.

Lowe, who previously served as a Reform UK MP and lost the party whip in March 2025 after criticizing Farage's leadership, has established his own party, Restore Britain. His party has shown some electoral success, with an affiliate winning nine seats in local elections and securing notable vote shares in recent by-elections. Lowe has publicly called for unity, proposing conditions that include a referendum on the death penalty and a ban on halal and kosher meat.

However, the relationship between Farage and Lowe is marked by personal animosity. Farage has accused Lowe of lying about their private conversations and described him as difficult to deal with. Lowe, in turn, has published purported WhatsApp messages from Farage. The dispute has also drawn attention from figures like Elon Musk, who previously criticized Farage and supported Lowe.

The situation is complicated by the Conservative Party's approach, which has been more conciliatory towards Lowe than Farage. The Conservatives have offered Lowe a seat on the Public Accounts Committee and praised him, suggesting a strategic interest in engaging with his significant online following.