Key facts
- Nigel Farage's Reform UK and Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain are in a public dispute.
- Lowe lost the Reform UK whip after criticizing Farage's leadership.
- Lowe's Restore Britain has impacted the right-wing vote by splitting support.
- Lowe proposed five conditions for a potential rapprochement between the parties.
- Farage and Lowe have publicly contradicted each other regarding recent communications.
- The Conservative Party has shown more openness to Lowe than to Farage.
Two prominent figures on the British right, Nigel Farage of Reform UK and Rupert Lowe of Restore Britain, are embroiled in a public dispute that could influence the upcoming general election. The conflict, characterized by "will-they-won't-they" flirtations and public criticism, stems from both policy disagreements and personal animosity.
Lowe, who is also a Reform UK Member of Parliament, lost the party whip in March 2025 after publicly criticizing Farage's leadership. The dispute escalated with allegations of threats made by Lowe against Reform chairman Zia Yusuf, though no police action followed. Lowe subsequently established Restore Britain, a party that has gained traction online and in local elections, effectively splitting the right-wing vote.
Key policy differences include Lowe's stance on deporting families of individuals convicted of child grooming, a position Farage rejected. Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk also publicly commented on the situation, initially criticizing Farage and backing Lowe.
Despite the public spat, Lowe recently released a video proposing five conditions for a potential rapprochement, including a referendum on the death penalty and restrictions on former Conservative defectors in a future Farage government. Farage claimed to have reached out to Lowe, but Lowe denied this, accusing Farage of lying and releasing purported private messages. Farage, while calling Lowe "not a very easy person to deal with," indicated a willingness to set aside differences for the sake of unity.
The situation is also of interest to the Conservative Party, which has ruled out arrangements with Reform UK but has appeared more conciliatory towards Lowe, even granting him a seat on the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee. This suggests that Lowe's significant online following is being considered by both major right-wing parties.