Polling analysts suggest that Restore Britain, a minor party with links to far-right extremists, could play a pivotal role in the upcoming Makerfield by-election, potentially influencing the contest in favor of Labour candidate Andy Burnham. The by-election, set for Thursday in the Makerfield constituency, has attracted national attention as a key indicator for broader political shifts.

Luke Tryl, a pollster with More In Common, indicated over the weekend that Burnham appears poised to secure victory, attributing part of this momentum to Restore Britain's involvement in the race. Restore Britain’s presence may be splitting votes on the right, affecting the broader electoral calculus.

Former Reform UK MP Andrew Lowe—who left Reform last year following internal disputes and established Restore Britain—expressed indifference toward the possibility that his party might impede Nigel Farage’s electoral prospects in Makerfield. Lowe criticized the incumbent Labour Party as largely ineffective and predicted significant losses for them in upcoming general elections. “I don’t think it makes any difference whether Andy Burnham wins. The people in power are the Labour Party. Most of them are completely incompetent,” Lowe said.

Farage, leader of Reform UK, meanwhile called for a united right-wing front to prevent Labour from capturing the seat, emphasizing the need for "radical change" and positioning Reform as the only party capable of challenging the establishment. He urged voters to coalesce behind Reform to block Burnham’s anticipated success.

The political contest has been overshadowed by controversy surrounding Restore Britain’s associations. Several party members have been linked to extremist activities and ideologies. Notably, James Munro, a party organizer in Dundee, was reinstated after previously being expelled over photos showing him with neo-fascist symbols and performing a Nazi salute. Munro claimed these actions occurred a decade ago during a period when he said legitimate nationalist pathways were unavailable.

Recent events have further exposed the party’s connections. Last month’s Remigration Summit in Portugal, organized by far-right activist Martin Sellner—banned from the UK and known for a history of neo-Nazi sympathies—featured praise for Restore Britain’s platform. Other attendees included Belgian extremist Dries Van Langenhove, convicted in 2024 for operating neo-Nazi online forums and for Holocaust denial.

Speakers at the summit also included American white supremacist Jared Taylor, whom Restore activists publicly lauded. Additionally, a Restore member known as “Angloid,” identified as 19-year-old Lorcan Barker, has openly criticized Reform UK for adopting what he calls a “woke” stance, particularly on immigration policies. Barker’s social media features symbols widely recognized as white nationalist and neo-Nazi references.

Lucy White, a Restore activist who spoke at the event and was photographed with Lowe, has also been linked to extremist rhetoric. Reports highlight speeches calling for ethnic deportations and invoking anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, raising concerns among observers about the influence of such ideologies within Restore Britain.

If Andy Burnham succeeds in Makerfield, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faces internal pressure to announce a timetable for his departure amid speculation about a shift to a more left-wing leadership under Burnham. Prospective appointments, such as Ed Miliband as Chancellor, have been floated alongside indications of potential policy changes including tax increases.

With the by-election looming, the presence of far-right extremism within Restore Britain adds a volatile element to a contest that could have repercussions beyond the constituency, potentially affecting the national political trajectory in the months ahead.