The horrific murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton has become a flashpoint in a bitter civil war threatening to tear apart the British right. Nigel Farage's response, calling for 'pure cold rage' and insisting that 'white lives matter,' signals an increasingly racialised turn in British politics, according to Joe Mulhall, director of research at Hope Not Hate.
A New Threat from the Far Right
For the past year, while progressives worried about how to defeat Reform UK, Farage's party has faced a new challenge from an even more radical party: Restore Britain. Founded by former Reform MP Rupert Lowe, Restore Britain has been deeply critical of Reform for not being radical enough, especially on immigration. This pressure is pushing Reform further right and reshaping the political landscape.
The Origins of Restore Britain
Restore Britain's roots lie in Lowe's bitter departure from Reform in March last year. After Lowe described Reform as 'a protest party led by the Messiah,' party chair Zia Yusuf alleged that Lowe threatened physical violence, and several employees accused him of bullying. Lowe denies all allegations. In June 2024, Lowe launched Restore as a 'political movement,' transforming it into a full-fledged national party in February 2025. While Lowe is its only MP, a small clique of young activists, including Charlie Downes, Harrison Pitt, and Lewis Brackpool, have become prominent spokespersons.
Far-Right Enthusiasm and Realignment
The party's launch was met with enthusiasm across large sections of the far right, particularly among those who view Reform as insufficiently hardline on immigration. Hope Not Hate has documented a deeply concerning array of high-profile extremists gravitating to the party, resulting in an important realignment. Restore has drawn together an uneasy coalition from figures just right of Reform to open fascists. In April, Lowe boasted that membership surged above 130,000—though these numbers are unverifiable and may include international supporters. If accurate, this would place Restore's membership on par with the Conservatives and far larger than the BNP or National Front at their peaks.
Reform's Growing Concern
Initially, Reform dismissed Restore as an unserious annoyance. However, its strong showing in Great Yarmouth's May local elections, where it won all nine seats contested on Norfolk County Council, clearly unsettled Reform HQ. Recent polling in Makerfield shows Labour's Andy Burnham just three points ahead of Reform candidate Robert Kenyon, with Restore in third at 7%. The impending by-election and new polling have worsened relations between the two right-wing parties.
Elon Musk's Intervention
Tesla billionaire Elon Musk's vocal support for Restore has only increased Reform's concern. After Lowe posted on X that 'Farage and Reform tried to put me in prison because I backed the mass deportation of Pakistani child rapists and their foreign wives/relatives who allowed it to happen,' Musk wrote: 'Only Restore Britain can save Britain.' Farage hit back, telling the Telegraph: 'Elon Musk has decided he will try to split the right of British politics as best he can. This is supporting a party that's one man with a social media account.'
Ideological Differences and Risks
While Reform fears Restore dividing the right-wing vote, Restore supporters object to Reform on ideological grounds. Some target Reform for working with ex-Conservatives associated with the 'Boriswave' of migrants, while others oppose fielding 'non-Christian' candidates. Reform is portrayed as too soft and centrist, unable to address demographic change. Lowe calls for mass deportations to 'reverse' this trend, and key figures openly push for 'remigration.'
Initially, Restore allowed Farage to frame Reform as a mainstream alternative to the Tories and jettison some extreme supporters. But Restore's growth has taken Reform by surprise. The danger is that Reform will shift further right on immigration and deportation to prevent further losses. Even if Restore fails as an electoral threat, it may shape political discourse. Its activists have been given platforms on mainstream media, normalising hardline rhetoric. For example, Restore's campaign director Charlie Downes posted: 'Reform UK believe that anyone from anywhere can become British. Restore Britain believe that Britain is a people defined by indigenous British ancestry and Christian faith.'
Today's cynical wrangling over Henry Nowak's death may be an ominous sign of what's to come, as Restore pushes the boundaries of acceptable opinion and drives British politics to the extreme right.
