Farage Signals ‘Open-Mindedness’ Over Electoral Pact with Restore Britain to Avoid Right-Wing Vote Split

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has revealed that he is open to establishing an electoral agreement with Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain party, acknowledging that the competing right-wing group poses a major challenge to his party's chances in the upcoming general election.

Farage stated he has an, "open-minded", attitude toward collaborating with Lowe, his former colleague. The potential partnership comes as prominent figures in both parties warn that running against each other could split the right-wing electorate, inadvertently helping the Labour or Conservative parties secure victories.

This cooperative effort was proposed by Lowe, the leader of Restore Britain, who was expelled from Reform UK last year. On Sunday, Lowe made a public appeal for the two organisations to join forces to help elect a, "patriotic government".

The proposed alliance hit an initial obstacle when Lowe did not immediately answer a message from Farage suggesting a phone call. However, sources report that Lowe has since replied, and official discussions are expected to begin soon.

Under the terms of the envisioned deal, both Reform UK and Restore Britain would agree to withdraw candidates in specific districts, leaving the field clear for whichever party possesses the stronger local backing.

Although Restore Britain has not yet declared the exact number of seats it wants Reform UK to yield, the party is focusing on Great Yarmouth as well as multiple locations across Greater Manchester. Party insiders believe that Lowe’s prominent role in an independent inquiry into grooming gangs gives them a strong advantage in the North West.

Evidence of Restore Britain's expanding support was visible during the recent Manchester mayoral election, where the party finished in fourth place—ahead of the Conservatives—with roughly 9 percent of first-preference votes. Additionally, the party took third place in Oldham, Rochdale, Tameside, and Wigan.

National polls currently place Restore Britain’s support between 2 and 6 percent. While these numbers are modest, they are high enough to act as a spoiler for Reform UK in close electoral contests.

Farage was remarkably direct about the danger posed by the party led by his former ally. "They could do us great harm", he conceded on Monday, pointing out that a split in the insurgent right-wing vote would only serve the interests of the political establishment he wants to defeat.

With the general election drawing closer, the outcome of these discussions will determine whether the populist right enters the race as a unified alliance or a divided front. Negotiations are set to continue over the course of the week.