Rupert Lowe, the founder and leader of the newly established Restore Britain party, addressed a private gathering of donors at the Caledonian Club in central London on Tuesday evening, underscoring the party’s growing ambitions and the role of external influences in its recent surge. Founded seven months ago, Restore Britain has rapidly expanded its membership base to nearly 100,000, with branches across most English constituencies, and is targeting seats in Scotland and Wales as it seeks to challenge established right-wing parties.

The event, organized for members of the party’s Cromwell Club donor network—those contributing at least £2,500—brought together influential figures from finance, property development, and right-wing media, as well as technologists from the United States. Lowe highlighted Restore Britain’s momentum in both fundraising and voter outreach, revealing recent donations including £500,000 from entrepreneur Simon Galbraith, a former Liberal Democrat contributor who supports the party’s vision for what he calls a “British renaissance.”

Central to Lowe’s remarks was the endorsement of Elon Musk, who has publicly described Restore Britain as the “last and only hope” for the country. Lowe stated that Musk had offered financial support without limit but declined to accept due to legal restrictions on foreign donations and concerns over political optics. Nevertheless, he emphasized the substantial influence Musk’s “moral support” and platform, X (formerly Twitter), provide. With over 241 million followers on X, Musk’s backing has amplified Restore’s messaging, particularly on issues relating to immigration and public safety, garnering significant online engagement that reportedly exceeds that of rival populist figure Nigel Farage.

Restore Britain’s narrative focuses heavily on immigration, with Lowe charging that the government has failed to protect citizens from what he terms the “Islamification of Britain” and foreign-perpetrated crimes, including grooming scandals. Lowe disclosed plans to pursue private prosecutions against accused individuals identified through an independent inquiry conducted by the party. The inquiry’s findings, published in June, alleged that 250,000 white girls had been victimized by grooming gangs predominantly involving Pakistani and Muslim men—assertions that have been controversial and politically charged.

Policy proposals advanced by Restore include reversing recent devolution measures, aiming to restore the 1707 Act of Union as a framework for stronger national unity. Lowe also outlined fiscal strategies that prioritize reducing the size of the state before considering tax cuts and suggested introducing insurance products to cover less urgent healthcare needs. A prominent pledge at the event was the intention to “defund” the BBC, reflecting the party’s broader criticism of established institutions.

The party is appealing to younger voters, with polling indicating that 41 percent of those interested in Restore are under 35, a significantly higher share than rival Reform UK’s constituency. However, some within the party have expressed reservations about the extent to which Musk’s association benefits the party’s image, citing public hostility toward the billionaire entrepreneur.

Restore Britain’s emergence is contributing to a fracturing of the right-wing vote in the UK. In recent elections, it has drawn support away from Reform UK, the party formerly led by Nigel Farage, who has been under investigation following allegations related to impermissible foreign donations. Lowe, expelled from Reform UK last year, criticized Farage’s leadership and integrity, while noting that voter migration between these parties can be gradual due to entrenched loyalties.

On the European stage, Lowe reported informal contacts with Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD), a party with a contentious reputation due to its classification as “extreme right” by German intelligence. AfD representatives have denied formal cooperation with Restore Britain. Lowe also referenced involvement with the Save Europe Act, an anti-migration movement advocating for the preservation of Europe’s “ethnocultural identity,” and plans to engage with its founders in Rome.

The party’s stance on recent protests against immigration and asylum seekers in British towns such as Portsmouth and Dover was also discussed. Lowe condemned balaclava-wearing protesters but expressed support for activists he described as “patriots” taking action in response to concerns about surveillance and legal protections, framing it as a response to perceived government overreach.

Despite the sensitive nature of the meeting, Lowe dismissed criticism of the event’s undercover recording, framing the disclosures as an unfair depiction and stating that Restore Britain has “nothing to hide.” He invited further scrutiny of the party’s platform and integrity through open interviews.