Andy Burnham is unlikely to be Elon Musk’s preferred choice as UK prime minister. Yet the US billionaire’s support for a far-right splinter from Reform UK forms part of several indications that a fractured right could hand the Makerfield seat to the Manchester mayor. Burnham will contest a by-election in Greater Manchester on 18 June, where surveys show him narrowly ahead of Reform candidate Robert Kenyon, a plumber. A new far-right group founded by former Reform MP Rupert Lowe appears to be drawing votes from Reform. Lowe, MP for Great Yarmouth, clashed publicly with Nigel Farage, lost the party whip after accusations of bullying and verbal abuse, and denies the claims. He launched rival party Restore Britain and seems pleased to siphon support from Reform. The group is standing local businesswoman Rebecca Shepherd, 53, in Makerfield. Recent polling shows her gaining ground, alarming Reform officials. A Survation survey of 369 voters, excluding undecideds, placed Restore Britain third on 7 percent, Reform second on 40 percent and Labour first on 43 percent. Labour campaigners reported rising doorstep backing for Restore. Farage claimed Burnham would be pleased after Musk amplified a Lowe tweet promoting Restore Britain. He told the Telegraph that Musk aims to divide Britain’s right and is backing a one-man social-media party. Restore Britain has also received backing from former Dragons’ Den investor Duncan Bannatyne, who praised Shepherd’s focus on reviving high streets. Lowe hired former Conservative MP Scott Benton, who lost the whip in 2023 over lobbying allegations, to run the Makerfield campaign. A Reform source criticised the move. Restore Britain advocates large-scale deportations of foreign-born residents who use social housing or benefits. At the campaign launch Lowe used strong language about immigration. Reform figures noted Shepherd appeared uneasy beside him. Reform’s official account warned that backing Restore helps Burnham, while MP Sarah Pochin said choosing Lowe delivers Labour. Analysts say even modest support for Restore could affect seat outcomes in a fragmented political landscape. Former Farage adviser Raheem Kassam dismissed the group as a spite vehicle and criticised Musk’s involvement.
