The UK has had several big by-elections over the past 12 months, with Reform UK underperforming in all of them. In the most recent, Reform’s underperformance wasn’t the only story; there was also the emergence of Restore Britain.

Now, Restore leader, Rupert Lowe, has called for something of a cooperation pact between the two parties.

What’s really going on here?

The Greater Manchester result showed what Restore Britain can deliver.

The next step is how we maximise the chances of delivering the change Britain needs – it means putting personal differences aside.

That is why today I am making a public offer to Nigel Farage and Reform UK. pic.twitter.com/vwQJYRkEFp

— Rupert Lowe MP (@RupertLowe10) August 2, 2026

Rupert Lowe: ‘I only care that it is done’

Lowe begins his video by talking about the public falling out he had with Farage — a falling out which was followed by Reform unceremoniously sacking him. He then repeats the far-right talking points we’re used to, including a reference to Enoch Powell’s ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech (emphasis added):

The country we both love is changing beyond recognition. Millions of people feel like strangers in their own communities.

Lowe ends his video by saying:

I do not care how that is done. I only care that it is done. So Nigel, my message is simple. If you are prepared to work together around serious policies, serious reform and serious government, then so are we. Not because it’s politically convenient for Restore Britain. Not because it’s personally easy. After the events of the last 18 months, I would certainly rather not be making this offer.

Reading between the lines, Lowe is saying, ‘Adopt all our policies or we will continue to oppose you’. Reform is unlikely to move as far right as Restore, though, because it’s functionally difficult for it to do so.

Reform is open to people who aren’t white, as long as said people are willing to accept the politics of white supremacy. Restore Britain, meanwhile, is full of activists who think that white supremacy belongs to the whites.

Should Reform move further right, it would struggle to hold on to politicians like Suella Braverman, Nadhim Zahawi and Laila Cunningham. The same is true of Restore in reverse, which is why many think Lowe is making his move first.

People have accused Restore of splitting the far-right vote. Now, Lowe can claim he attempted to bridge the divide, even if it’s obvious such a plan would never work.

Reform’s Raheem J. Kassam was among those who noticed what Lowe is doing, saying:

Rupert Lowe, polling nationally on 1%, has made a multi-camera, scripted video asking if he can work with Reform again.

Yep. Instead of sending a text or picking up the phone, he’s done what he’s always done: try and get himself a little attention.

What’s interesting is that Rupert doesn’t actually make a concrete offer in this video.

No, he makes policy DEMANDS of Reform, but doesn’t state what they’d get in return. It’s a total and utter grift, designed to try and make Reform look unreasonable, while actually offering nothing.

“Work together?” What does that look like? Is it an electoral pact? Would he fold Restore? Nah, no specifics, just some more “woe is me” crap and then an ultimatum dressed up in pseudo patriotism.

We trust Kassam about as much as we trust Lowe, but in this instance he’s pointing out the obvious.

Why a Reform-Restore takeover won’t work

Lowe also said:

In my view, failing to even try because of our own personal difficulties is simply not an option. The British people deserve nothing less than our best and sincere efforts to make it happen. Now is the time to put our differences aside and cooperate for the good of the country that we all love.

Let’s be real, the only way Restore could benefit Reform is by standing down completely (much like the Brexit Party did for the Tories in 2019). No one seriously thinks Lowe wants to step aside, but he could be up to something else.

When Lowe founded Restore, the Canary made the following point:

While it’s tempting to think Restore will split the Reform vote, there is another possibility. The spurned Lowe could use Restore as a weapon to damage Reform’s electability, and he could then use that to force Farage out and take control of both parties. This wouldn’t surprise us, as Lowe has already merged with Advance UK — a party formed by Ben Habib — i.e. another of the politicians Farage kicked out of Reform

Commentators like Don McGowan are making similar points today:

The beginning of a hostile takeover from Rupert Lowe?

Farage is finished, we can all see that now. Is Lowe making the first inroads into taking control of Reform UK when Farage, and probably Tice, have to stand away?

This is an interestingly timed interjection. https://t.co/RBFFbNrZfe

— Don McGowan (@donmcgowan) August 2, 2026

As noted, it would be difficult for any politician to combine Reform and Restore into one movement. Restore is too far right for many Reform people; Reform is too centre-right for many in Restore. Lowe is certainly egotistical enough to think he could make it happen, though, and given his many ongoing scandals, it does look like Farage’s days are numbered.

Featured image via Belinda Jiao/ Reuters

By Willem Moore

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