Elon Musk has expressed his support for the Restore Britain party in the upcoming Makerfield by-election, sparking debate within the British political right. Musk posted a message reading “Restore Britain” on his social media platform X in response to a tweet from Rupert Lowe, the leader of Restore Britain and its sole Member of Parliament.

Restore Britain began as a pressure group roughly ten months ago before officially becoming a political party in February. The party currently holds 21 council seats and one parliamentary seat represented by Lowe, a former Reform UK MP for Great Yarmouth. Lowe was suspended from Reform UK in March last year following accusations that he threatened Reform’s then-chairman, Zia Yusuf. Since then, Lowe has described Reform UK under Nigel Farage as a “protest party led by the Messiah” and launched Restore Britain as a new right-wing political force.

The endorsement from Musk has drawn criticism from Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK and a prominent figure on the British right. Farage warned that Musk’s support for Restore Britain risks dividing the right-wing vote and inadvertently benefiting Labour. In the latest polling ahead of the by-election, Labour’s candidate Andy Burnham leads narrowly with 43 percent, followed closely by Farage’s Reform UK on 40 percent. Restore Britain is polling at 7 percent, a share that Farage argues could siphon crucial votes away from Reform UK, potentially costing them the seat.

Farage described Musk’s move as “trying to split the Right of British politics,” noting that Restore Britain revolves largely around one individual with limited political infrastructure. He asserted the division could increase Labour’s chances of winning the seat, which is of strategic importance to both sides. Burnham, the incumbent and a former Greater Manchester mayor, is expected to be a strong contender for Labour leadership and Prime Ministership ambitions.

Lowe responded positively to Musk’s backing, suggesting it signals that “real change is possible” and indicates that “the establishment is losing control.” He framed Restore Britain as facing significant opposition from established political forces, claiming the party has been subject to “false allegations, dishonest polling, media hysteria, and vile personal attacks.” Lowe’s party also recently saw a successful outcome in local elections, with its affiliated group, Great Yarmouth First, winning all nine seats it contested on Norfolk County Council.

Musk’s support marks a notable intervention in British politics by the tech entrepreneur, who has previously engaged with political discourse in the UK. His endorsement underscores the ongoing fragmentation and rivalry on the right, especially between Reform UK and Restore Britain, and intensifies an already tight race in Makerfield, a constituency that both Labour and right-wing parties view as pivotal ahead of broader national contests.