Farage tries to pull Restore Britain back into Reform UK as support slips
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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage urged people tempted by the new Restore Britain party to come back to Reform UK, even as his party faces falling polling, media scrutiny, and questions over its direction ahead of a possible early general election.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told GB News that his party is preparing for a potential snap election by finalising candidate lists in constituencies across the country. He said he has "sheets of paper with the names of hundreds of candidates who have been through our parliamentary assessment centres" and that the party has been working "full pelt" for weeks in case an early election is called.
"The key to our success will be those who have been tempted by thinking Restore might be the future, they need to understand that Restore, at most, will be competitive in one seat, and we will be competitive in hundreds," Farage said, urging Restore Britain voters to return to Reform UK.
Support for Reform UK has fallen from about 30% to 21% over the past year, a decline Farage attributed partly to the emergence of Restore Britain. He acknowledged that poll results vary depending on the survey firm.
Farage also claimed that recent undercover investigations by Channel 4 and ITV have damaged Reform UK's momentum after its performance in the 2026 local elections, describing the coverage as a "relentless, unending establishment assault".
He said Reform UK would challenge Labour if Prime Minister Andy Burnham called a snap election focused on Europe and migration, adding that he has been consistent on those issues for three decades.
Restore Britain, founded in March 2026 by former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe, has been criticised for influencing local council by-elections in ways that benefit Labour. Lowe previously offered a five-point cooperation plan that included stricter immigration rules and a death-penalty referendum, which Farage rejected, calling for the suspension of an ally accused of antisemitism.
Burnham has said he does not intend to call a snap election, but polling suggests a narrow Labour lead if one were held, with YouGov reporting Labour at 27%, the Conservatives at 22% and Reform UK at 20%.