Nigel Farage has effectively rejected the alliance offer from Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe, insisting that Reform UK will not form formal pacts with external rival parties.

 

Nigel Farage responds as Restore leader Rupert Lowe URGES Reform to UNITE the right against Burnham

Nigel Farage has effectively rejected the alliance offer from Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe, insisting that Reform UK will not form formal pacts with external rival parties. Following a public appeal by Lowe to "unite the right" against a rising left-wing alliance under Labour's Andy Burnham, Farage made it clear that while Reform UK is building a broad coalition, it remains the only proper entity to deliver change.

 

The Context of the Feud

• The Ultimatum: Former Reform MP Rupert Lowe, now leading the hard-right splinter group Restore Britain, publicly urged Farage to cooperate on key policy areas.
• The Threatened Vote Split: The sudden push for unity follows recent by-election friction (such as in Makerfield), where a split right-wing vote risked giving Labour and Andy Burnham an easy victory.
• Past Bitter Rivalry: The two men previously fell out over hardline stances on mass deportation and internal Reform UK conduct investigations, leading Lowe to launch Restore Britain as a direct competitor.

Nigel Farage's Response

Farage responded through an official statement on X and a press conference, heavily pushing back on the idea of a formal political marriage:

• No Formal Deals: Farage firmly dismissed entering formal pacts with smaller splinter parties, stating he "will not do deals with dishonest people".
• Dismissing Restore's Impact: He labeled polling numbers suggesting Lowe's party held substantial ground as "utter rot," stating Lowe's recognition factor is practically zero.
• "Broad Coalition" via Reform Only: Farage clarified that while Reform UK is actively building a broad coalition to "defeat the left", it will happen under the Reform UK banner alone. He noted that his party is open to voters from any background but added, "I will never turn my back on my team."

Farage concluded by reinforcing that Reform UK remains the single, established brand for right-of-centre politics capable of challenging the Labour government