A byelection in Greater Manchester is set to pit Andy Burnham against Robert Kenyon of Reform, with polls showing Burnham only slightly ahead. A far-right party, Restore Britain, created by former Reform MP Rupert Lowe, is taking support from Reform after Lowe’s split with Nigel Farage. Restore Britain is running Rebecca Shepherd, a local businesswoman, and a Survation poll places Restore Britain third with 7%, Reform second with 40%, and Labour first with 43% after removing undecided voters. Labour canvassers report growing support for Restore on doorsteps. Elon Musk has amplified Lowe’s involvement by sharing a tweet about the byelection, and Restore has also gained backing from Duncan Bannatyne. Lowe has recruited Scott Benton to help run the campaign.
"On 18 June, Burnham will fight a byelection in Greater Manchester, and polls have him only slightly ahead of Reform's candidate, Robert Kenyon, a plumber. But a far-right party set up by the former Reform MP Rupert Lowe looks as if it is taking some support from Reform. Lowe, who represents Great Yarmouth, had a spectacular falling-out with Nigel Farage, and had the whip suspended after being accused of bullying and verbal abuse by the party. He denies all these claims."
"Lowe then set up his rival party, Restore Britain, and is appearing to delight in taking votes off Reform. Restore is fielding Rebecca Shepherd, a 53-year-old local businesswoman, as its candidate. According to a recent poll, she is picking up support, which has spooked Reform figures. The Survation poll of 369 respondents in the Greater Manchester constituency, with undecided voters stripped out, put Restore Britain in third on 7%, Reform second on 40% and Labour on 43%."
"Labour canvassers had noticed growing support for Restore on the doorstep, party sources said. Farage said Burnham would be delighted after Musk shared a tweet from Lowe about the byelection saying Restore Britain. He told 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. Quite what he's trying to achieve, I have no idea."
"Restore has also gained support from the former Dragons' Den star and gym mogul Duncan Bannatyne, who said last week Shepherd was very passionate about rejuvenating our high streets. To run the campaign in Makerfield, Lowe has recruited the disgraced former Conservative MP Scott Benton, who lost the whip in 2"
Read at www.theguardian.com
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