'Restore Britain'...Musk boosts new far-right party, Farage bristles

"Restore Britain"...Musk boosts new far-right party, Farage bristles

Nerve battle in by-election for Restore Britain Party, founded by a defector from the Reform UK party

"Labour's Burnham targeting next PM has 43% support...Reform UK 40%, Restore Britain 7%"

Nigel Farage, leader of the right-wing Reform UK party, which ranks first in approval ratings, expressed displeasure after Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, posted a message suggesting support for the Restore Britain Party, a new far-right party in the UK.

On the 24th (local time), Musk shared a post written by Rupert Lowe, founder of the Restore Britain Party, on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "Restore Britain."

In the post, Lowe claimed, "The Restore Britain Party is under fierce attack from the establishment. They want us to disappear. They will throw everything at us: false claims, rigged polls, media hysteria." He then urged people to join the party, saying, "Take back our country."

Lowe was a member of the Reform UK party but experienced conflict with party figures, including leader Farage, last year and was suspended from membership for criticizing the party, leading to his defection. He converted an interest group he founded last year into a political party earlier this year and is now its leader.

According to British media, the Restore Britain Party is considered a right-wing or far-right party. It advocates for the expulsion of foreign-born individuals who cannot speak English, live in public housing, or receive social welfare benefits, even if they reside in the UK with legal permission. It also promotes policies to restore Christian principles, such as banning ritual slaughter according to Jewish or Islamic law.

Farage expressed discomfort with Musk's post. In an interview with The Telegraph on the 25th, he said, "Musk has decided to divide the right of British politics as much as he possibly can," adding, "This is one man with a social media account endorsing a party, and I don't know what he's trying to achieve."

Farage once boasted of a 'bromance' with Musk, but their relationship soured after Reform UK distanced itself from the far-right and pursued policies claiming to be 'mainstream conservative.' Musk actively supports Tommy Robinson, a far-right activist in the UK with whom Farage distances himself.

Farage also said that Andy Burnham, the Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, would be pleased with Musk's post. This implies a concern that conservative votes could be split in the Makerfield constituency by-election, where Mayor Burnham has declared his candidacy to re-enter the House of Commons, aiming for the premiership.

In a poll conducted by The Times and research firm Survation until the 22nd, Mayor Burnham was expected to be in a close contest with Robert Kenyon of Reform UK (40%), with 43% support. Rebecca Sheppard, the candidate for the Restore Britain Party, had 7% support.

Sheppard welcomed the support, claiming that established parties have long considered Makerfield a safe seat and stating, "The fact that Musk is endorsing the Restore Britain Party shows that the long-standing assumptions about British politics are over."

The by-election, to be held on the 18th of next month, is drawing attention in terms of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's shaky position after the local election defeat and his future competition. Mayor Burnham is a strong challenger who could replace Prime Minister Starmer, but he must first re-enter the House of Commons to meet the requirements for party leadership.

The left-wing Green Party announced Sarah Wakefield, a Manchester City councillor, as its candidate on the 26th.

Previously, some senior Green Party figures suggested that the Green Party should not field a candidate and instead help Mayor Burnham re-enter the House of Commons. Green Party councillors, activists, and former leaders argued in a joint statement that the Green Party should not field a candidate in exchange for a promise from Mayor Burnham that the Labour Party would pledge to introduce proportional representation. Proportional representation is considered advantageous for smaller parties like the Green Party.

So far, nine parties have declared their candidacy. In addition to the center-right main opposition Conservative Party (Michael Winstanley) and the center-left second opposition Liberal Democrats (Jake Austin), the 'Rejoin EU Party', the Liberal Party, and the 'Official Monster Raving Loony Party' have also fielded candidates.