Farage and Musk feud over right-wing vote split in Makerfield by-election
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has criticized Elon Musk for endorsing the rival Restore Britain party ahead of the June 18 Makerfield by-election. A Survation poll shows Labour’s Andy Burnham leading Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon by 43% to 40%, with Restore Britain at 7%. Farage warns Musk’s support could split the right-wing vote, handing the seat to Labour. The feud escalated after Musk called for Farage’s removal as Reform leader over Farage’s distancing from far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
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Nigel Farage says Elon Musk is splitting the right and could cost Reform UK a byelection win
Nigel Farage has accused Elon Musk of helping Labour by backing the rival right-wing Restore Britain party ahead of the Makerfield byelection on 18 June. The contest was triggered by Labour MP Josh Simons resigning to make way for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, a potential future challenger to PM Keir Starmer. A Survation poll shows Labour at 43%, Reform UK at 40%, and Restore Britain at 7%, raising fears that Musk's support for Restore Britain could siphon off right-wing votes and cost Reform the seat. Musk has publicly posted 'Restore Britain' on X and shared content from party leader Rupert Lowe, a former Reform MP expelled in March 2025. Farage criticized Musk's intervention, while Lowe hit back, accusing Farage of misunderstanding the movement. The dispute follows a deterioration in relations after Farage distanced himself from far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
TheJournal.ieNigel Farage Slams Elon Musk For Backing Rival Right-Wing Party In Makerfield By-Election
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has criticized Elon Musk for endorsing the Restore Britain party, led by former Reform MP Rupert Lowe, ahead of the June 18 Makerfield by-election. Farage accused Musk of trying to split the right-wing vote, which could benefit Labour candidate Andy Burnham. A recent poll shows Burnham at 43% and Reform's Robert Kenyon at 40%, with Restore Britain at 7%. Musk shared a post by Lowe claiming the party is under establishment attack. The feud between Farage and Musk escalated after Musk called for Farage to be replaced as Reform leader, partly due to Farage distancing himself from far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Nigel Farage Slams Elon Musk For Backing Rival Right-Wing Party In Makerfield By-Election
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has criticized Elon Musk for endorsing Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain party in the upcoming Makerfield by-election on June 18. Farage accused Musk of trying to split the right-wing vote, which could benefit Labour candidate Andy Burnham. A recent poll shows Burnham at 43%, Reform UK's Robert Kenyon at 40%, and Restore Britain at 7%. Musk shared a post by Lowe claiming his party is under establishment assault. The feud between Farage and Musk escalated after Musk called for Farage to be replaced as Reform leader, following Farage's distancing from far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whom Musk has praised.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Nigel Farage Slams Elon Musk For Backing Rival Right-Wing Party In Makerfield By-Election
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has criticized Elon Musk for endorsing Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain party ahead of the June 18 Makerfield by-election. Farage accused Musk of trying to split the right of British politics, noting that Restore Britain's 7% support in a recent poll could swing the seat to Labour's Andy Burnham if those voters backed Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon instead. Musk shared a post by Lowe claiming his party is under establishment assault. The feud between Farage and Musk escalated after Musk called for Farage to be removed as Reform leader, following Farage's distancing from far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whom Musk has praised. The by-election is expected to be a close contest between Labour and Reform UK.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Nigel Farage Slams Elon Musk For Backing Rival Right-Wing Party In Makerfield By-Election
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has criticized Elon Musk for endorsing Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain party in the upcoming Makerfield by-election on June 18. Farage accused Musk of trying to split the right-wing vote, which could benefit Labour candidate Andy Burnham. A recent poll shows Burnham at 43%, Reform UK's Robert Kenyon at 40%, and Restore Britain at 7%. Musk shared a post by Lowe claiming his party is under establishment assault. The feud between Farage and Musk escalated after Musk called for Farage to be replaced as Reform leader, following Farage's distancing from far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whom Musk has praised.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Nigel Farage Slams Elon Musk For Backing Rival Right-Wing Party In Makerfield By-Election
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has publicly criticized Elon Musk for endorsing the Restore Britain party, led by former Reform MP Rupert Lowe, ahead of the crucial Makerfield by-election on June 18. Farage accused Musk of trying to split the right-wing vote in British politics, noting that Restore Britain's 7% support in recent polling could swing the seat to Labour's Andy Burnham if those voters backed Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon instead. Musk shared a post by Lowe on X, signaling his support. The feud between Farage and Musk escalated after Musk called for Farage to be removed as Reform leader, following Farage's distancing from far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whom Musk has praised. The by-election is expected to be a close contest between Labour and Reform UK.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Nigel Farage Slams Elon Musk For Backing Rival Right-Wing Party In Makerfield By-Election
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has criticized Elon Musk for endorsing Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain party ahead of the June 18 Makerfield by-election. Farage accused Musk of trying to split the right-wing vote, which could benefit Labour candidate Andy Burnham, who leads in polls with 43% support compared to Reform's 40%. Restore Britain, founded by former Reform MP Lowe after a falling out with Farage, has 7% support. Musk shared a post by Lowe on X, signaling his backing. The feud between Farage and Musk escalated after Musk called for Farage to be replaced as Reform leader, partly due to Farage distancing himself from far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whom Musk has praised.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Nigel Farage Slams Elon Musk For Backing Rival Right-Wing Party In Makerfield By-Election
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has criticized Elon Musk for endorsing Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain party ahead of the June 18 Makerfield by-election. Farage accused Musk of trying to split the right-wing vote, which could benefit Labour candidate Andy Burnham. A recent poll shows Labour at 43%, Reform at 40%, and Restore at 7%, meaning Restore's support could swing the seat to Labour if those voters backed Reform instead. Musk shared a post by Lowe claiming his party is under establishment assault. The feud between Farage and Musk escalated after Musk called for Farage to be replaced as Reform leader, partly due to Farage distancing himself from far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whom Musk has praised.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Farage and Lowe feud over Elon Musk's support for Restore Britain ahead of Makerfield by-election
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has criticized Elon Musk for endorsing Restore Britain, a rival right-wing party, ahead of the Makerfield by-election. Musk posted messages on X supporting Restore Britain, prompting Farage to warn that the tech billionaire will 'split the right' and help Labour's Andy Burnham, who hopes to return to Westminster. A Survation poll shows Burnham leading Reform's Robert Kenyon by just three points (43% to 40%), with Restore Britain's Rebecca Shepherd at 7%. Restore Britain leader David Lowe hit back at Farage, accusing him of arrogance and misunderstanding the party's grassroots support. The by-election is seen as a potential launchpad for Burnham to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
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