Tensions between the leaders of two right-leaning British political parties have resurfaced amid renewed overtures and sharp exchanges. Rupert Lowe, founder of the far-right party Restore Britain, extended an offer of cooperation to Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, in a 12-minute video posted on social media over the weekend. Lowe urged the two parties to set aside personal differences to unite for the country’s benefit, even though he was suspended by Reform UK in March 2025 and subsequently launched Restore Britain to challenge Farage’s voter base.
Despite Lowe’s call for collaboration, Farage responded with skepticism at a press conference, calling into question the sincerity of Lowe’s offer and recalling disruptive behavior by Lowe toward Reform colleagues during his time in the party. The split between the two figures remains pronounced, with Lowe accusing Farage of dishonesty regarding their communications, sharing a message from Farage that contradicted claims of direct contact.
Restore Britain has attracted attention following recent electoral performances, finishing fourth in the Greater Manchester mayoral contest and third in the Makerfield parliamentary by-election—results considered notable for a party founded only months prior and with an explicit far-right platform. Lowe’s party promotes policies including a referendum on reinstating the death penalty, bans on halal and kosher slaughter, and stringent immigration controls based on an ethno-nationalist view of identity. Such positions present significant barriers to a potential alliance, especially given Lowe’s insistence that former Conservative ministers within Reform UK, such as Robert Jenrick, be excluded from any shared government.
Farage’s openness to dialogue with Lowe, though cautious, highlights strategic challenges for Reform as it faces polling declines, where it trails behind Labour in several surveys. Farage also signaled a willingness to consider talks with the Conservative Party, indicating a pragmatic approach to broadening support ahead of future elections. This marks a shift for Reform, which has positioned itself as distinct from the Conservatives, raising questions about its core political identity.
Within Reform’s ranks, opinions vary. Some members advocate for maintaining clear boundaries from Conservative influences, while others, including Reform MP Andrew Rosindell, acknowledge Lowe’s resonance with right-of-centre voters and call for unity on the political right. Conversely, critics warn that any alignment with Restore’s ethno-nationalist agenda threatens to alienate moderate voters and complicate Farage’s bid for power.
Meanwhile, within the Conservative Party, leader Kemi Badenoch has repeatedly dismissed prospects of formal electoral cooperation with Reform UK, though some within the party privately acknowledge that future arrangements may become necessary if poll numbers fail to improve ahead of the 2029 general election.
As the Reform UK annual conference approaches next month, the unresolved tensions between Farage and Lowe, along with questions about possible alliances across the right-wing spectrum, leave the future direction of these parties uncertain. Both leaders face the challenge of balancing ideological purity with electoral pragmatism at a critical moment in British politics.