Little was expected of Restore Britain when Rupert Lowe broke with Nigel Farage to set up his own right-wing party.
But Lowe’s project has defied expectations and proven a thorn in the side of Farage’s Reform UK, taking a healthy seven per cent of the vote in the Makerfield by-election that saw Andy Burnham return to Parliament in June, and nine per cent in the subsequent Manchester mayoral election, beating the Tories in both cases.
It has done so with relatively little scrutiny, as the “respectable image” of Lowe – who has also won the backing of Elon Musk – appeals to some voters.
Exes could get rights to your assets under law change
Unmarried romantic partners could be entitled to part of their ex’s assets if a break-up leaves them unable to meet their basic needs.
Some believe the proposals being considered by the Government would tackle “completely outdated and inadequate” laws governing relationships, Sky News reported.
What is being proposed?
- Unmarried romantic partners could ask a court to get involved if distributing the couple’s assets based on who owns what is not enough to meet the needs of each partner or their children.
- The court would distribute them in a way that ensures everyone can afford housing and living costs.
- Children’s needs would come first so the primary caregiver has enough resources for them.
- The courts would look at each partner’s earning capacity, financial resources, age, any disabilities and the length of relationship.
Who would the rules apply to?
The rules would apply to adults in romantic relationships who have lived together for at least three years or who share a child and lived together for any period. They would apply automatically, with the option for couples to opt out if they mutually agree. The rules are intended to benefit financially exposed women who sacrificed their careers to care for their children or victims of domestic abuse.
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The expert view
Many people consciously choose not to remarry because they value both companionship and financial independence. They should remain free to make that choice, and the law should respect – not undermine – it
Baroness Ruth Deech, former law professor and chair of the Bar Standards Board
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The tactic that could protect your pension from inheritance tax raid – and the risks
There has been an increase in people looking to use a new tactic to avoid their pension wealth being subjected to high inheritance tax after their death, experts say.
What are people doing?
Experts say more parents are asking whether they could use a lifetime annuity, which provides a guaranteed income for life, to pass on their wealth to an adult child after their passing. Here’s what you need to know.
- The move would avoid the usual high inheritance tax bill for recipients, although it is currently an option only offered by two providers and there are several risks to be aware of.
- A lifetime annuity is a retirement product, bought from an insurer, that turns your pension into a guaranteed income for life.
- A joint annuity can be used to continue paying an income to a nominated person – in this case, potentially an adult child – after, for example, a parent dies in order to avoid a high IHT bill.
What are the risks?
The annuity is generally irreversible, suitable choices are limited and the income paid to the child may itself be taxable depending on the father’s age at death. Financial adviser Zoë Dagless said the insurer is pricing the annuity on the basis that it could continue for the child’s lifetime, so you are likely to be giving up a fair amount of income compared with an annuity based on the client’s life only.
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Men ‘hate diets’ and struggle to lose weight on them
Men struggle to lose weight on diets because they are mainly aimed at women and seem too restrictive, research has found.
Avoiding the word “diet” in weight-loss programmes could help men because it is seen as feminine, reported.
What the research found
- Framing weight-loss programmes as competitions or challenges could help men, scientists said.
- Researchers at Anglia Ruskin University found that men felt dieting was associated with being denied food they enjoyed and were reluctant to commit to programmes if significant sacrifices were involved.
- Men were more likely to lose weight when dietary changes were designed by their partners or when they were supported by them.
- Having a buddy or mentor was also beneficial.
What was the study based on?
The study, published in the journal was based on interviews with 24 men aged 30 and over about their experiences of weight-loss programmes.
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The expert view
For weight-loss programmes to appeal to men, they should involve quick wins, early rewards and a degree of social competitiveness around aesthetic gains, ahead of health-specific requirements. This could involve sport or physical challenges, perhaps focused on strength or stamina
Justin Roberts, the colead author and a professor of nutritional physiology
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Top Gear to return to BBC – everything we know
The BBC has confirmed is returning to the broadcaster. The show has been on hiatus since presenter Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff was almost killed during filming in December 2022.
What we know so far
The BBC’s director of entertainment Ed Havard confirmed the news of the return at the Edinburgh TV Festival on Thursday. He said: “There has been a lot of speculation about this and we can confirm that is coming back.”
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What happened to Flintoff?
Following the crash, the BBC announced would not be returning “for the foreseeable future”, explaining it had “decided to rest the UK show”.
Who will host now?
- Havard declined to comment on reports that Jimmy Carr is being lined up as the show’s new host.
- However, reports claim talks are underway with the comedian.
- Joe Marler, a former rugby player who appeared in last year, is also being eyed by the BBC, according to Deadline.
- No deals are thought to be in place.
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The back story
- It enjoyed a second life when Chris Harris, Paddy McGuinness and Flintoff took over hosting duties from Matt LeBlanc and Chris Evans, before the crash involving Flintoff occurred.
Liver disease cases linked to obesity up five-fold
Cases of a linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes have risen five-fold in a decade, a study has found.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) happens when in the liver and is left undiagnosed, researchers said.
What are the symptoms?
- Symptoms include feeling very tired or generally unwell, and pain in the abdomen.
- People who are overweight or not active are more likely to develop MASLD.
- Those who have type 2 diabetes, are over 50, or have high blood pressure are also more at risk.
- New diagnoses doubled from 2012 to 2022, and those diagnosed with the condition were three times as likely to have type 2 diabetes, analysis of GP records found.
A closer look at the findings
The study by researchers at Queen Mary University of London and the University of Glasgow found that 2.4 per cent of adults – 283,762 people had the disease in 2022, up from 0.02 per cent (1,300 people) in 2003.
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The expert view
The diagnostic gap remains large compared to expected rates. At-risk groups such as those living with type 2 diabetes and obesity should be identified and -finding actively pursued
researchers at Queen Mary University and University Glasgow
More on health from The i Paper
Thunderstorms expected across England and Wales
Flooding has hit part of the West Midlands as are expected across large areas of England and Wales.
A yellow thunderstorm has been issued from 5am until 10pm on Thursday.
What the warning says
The yellow warning covers swathes of the country, from Norwich and London to Cardiff and Manchester.
Some areas could see 50-75mm of rainfall on Thursday, as well as lightning and hail, which could cause disruption.
Warm temperatures with highs of 27°C or 28°C are expected, and there is a small chance some areas could see more than 75mm of rainfall.
Where the warning is in place
What happened in Birmingham?
There has been significant flooding in Birmingham. A flood warning was issued for the Perry Barr area on Wednesday night due to rising river levels.
The Environment Agency has issued 22 flooding alerts – meaning flooding is possible – in the Midlands and South East.
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The forecast for the rest of the week
- Further heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected on Friday across the UK.
- Further rain will move in on Saturday, followed by a mix of sunshine and showers on Sunday and Monday.
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Dozens of Britons missing in deadly Nepal flood
More than 160 people have died and hundreds are missing, including , after a devastating flash flood on the Nepal–Tibet border.
What happened?
- Floodwater swept along the Bhote Koshi river in Rasuwa region, in the Himalayas, at around 8.30am local time on Wednesday, destroying roads and washing away houses and bridges.
- More than 40 people were injured in the tragedy and are receiving treatment in hospital.
- Nepali officials said a further 826 people are missing, the majority of them tourists, including 33 Britons.
- Around 2,000 military personnel have been deployed by the Nepali army to assist with search and rescue operations.
What is known about the missing Britons?
Among the 33 Britons missing, 12 were with one tour company. Ram Kumar Adhikari, manager of Alpine Eco Trek, said the group included a 13-year-old girl, with the oldest member aged 65.
He said they had passed Chinese border controls to enter Tibet.
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The flood in pictures
But some political watchers are warning that, of those voting for Restore, not all are aware that people at the centre of the party espouse far-right views.
A member of Restore Britain’s policy team, for example, called Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch a “foreigner”, while another has said that many of the party’s activists proudly identify as ethnonationalists – those who believe a country’s identity should be based on ethnicity, rather than other factors such as shared values.
Other high-profile supporters of Restore have called for “remigration” – a term commonly used by the far-right for the repatriation – or removal – of people who are not white British.
Restore founded after fall out with Farage
Restore was founded by the Great Yarmouth MP Lowe in February 2026 after he was ejected from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in the spring of 2025. He was elected standing for Reform.
Lowe has recruited a group of mainly young men from the digital network of hard-right commentators and influencers often referred to as the “online right”.
Charlie Downes, 25, Restore’s co-founder and campaign director, for example, has been criticised by Jewish groups for implying online that Farage had been “bought” by Jewish supporters, and has also said that Muslims are “less British” than Christians.
Earlier this month, Farage rebuffed the offer of an electoral pact from Lowe unless he removed Downes.
Josh Ferme, who joined Restore’s policy team last month, has publicly referred to Badenoch as a “foreigner”.
In January, Ferme posted on X in response to a story about the Leader of the Opposition: “It truly is an analogy for our times that even one of the parties that brought them here in the first place has declined rapidly when managed by a foreigner.”
Badenoch, 46, was born in London as a British citizen to Nigerian parents. She was brought up in Nigeria and the US but returned to the UK at the age of 16.
Ferme, who is a contributor to a controversial right-wing podcast, has also said that only people with English ancestry qualify as English. In an X post in June, he said: “The ‘debate’ is settled: English is an ethnicity. A piece of paper does not make you English; having English ancestry does.”
Lowe does not give off same ‘vibe’ as far-right parties
Sunder Katwala, director of the British Future think-tank told The i Paper: “Restore Britain is unique among parties represented in Parliament in actively defending a ‘no boundaries’ policy for party members and even staff and office-holders – right out to those who would insist on deporting half the England football team for not having the right ancestry.
“Rupert Lowe, as a former businessman who chaired a football club (Southampton), has a respectable image, but must decide whether a welcome mat to the most extreme racists in Britain is tenable with seeking to get elected.”
Most people in England do not think that being English is defined by ethnicity. A poll by More in Common in July 2026 found that 79 per cent of people believe that “someone can be English regardless of their skin colour or ethnic background”, with just 16 per cent holding the view that “skin colour and ethnic background are important to whether someone is English”.
Robert Ford, professor of politics at Manchester University, told The i Paper that Restore had so far benefited from having a frontman in Lowe who did not give off the same “vibe” as far-right parties such as the British National Party.
Lowe was a successful businessman before going into politics, serving two stints as chairman of Southampton FC. Ford said: “[The BNP] had its roots in the National Front. People knew what the vibe was, and the vibe was ugly. I think people see Rupert Lowe swilling from a big wine glass and generally being a sort of middle-class boardroom chappie.
“I heard anecdotes on the Makerfield campaign trail that there were people who were saying they were voting Restore because they thought they were more moderate than Reform.”
Lowe has said he “detests” far-right ethnonationalism, although he has talked about “restoring” Britain’s “demographic security” and called projections of a future decline in the white British population “demographic vandalism”.
Openly embracing ‘ethno-nationalism’
However, others in Restore openly embrace the term.
Harrison Pitt, another right-wing influencer who is a “senior policy fellow” for Restore, posted on X in June: “When Rupert says he ‘detests ethnonationalism,’ he pictures brownshirts smashing up businesses. He does not picture those among our public-spirited supporters and activists who choose to identify with that term.”
He added: “I can assure you, Rupert wants to live to see mass migration reversed and demographic security achieved for the native peoples of Britain. In addition to pushing these policies in public, he has told me as much many times in person and I would not devote my time to a party committed to anything less.”
In an interview in 2025, Pitt said that “the Anglo-Celtic peoples of Britain” had been “demographically cheated out of a homogenous homeland of our own”.
In July this year, Pitt responded on X to a post from Elon Musk in which the billionaire said that “anyone who opposes remigration is a traitor”. Pitt said: “Correct. There are humane options besides twiddling our thumbs for the next few decades until we are overrun beyond saving. We would betray our ancestors and endanger our descendants if in the time we have left we sought only to improve the terms of our pre-emptive surrender.”
A third right-wing influencer and Restore backer, Connor Tomlinson, has espoused similar views.
Tomlinson does not work for the party but is friends with Downes and Pitt and has been an outspoken supporter of Lowe’s movement. In April, he posted a picture of himself with placard-bearing Restore activists at the party’s first branch meeting in Bromley, south-east London.
In May, he said that former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was not British. Posting on X, he said: “The British people are English, Scottish, Welsh, and Irish. They are white. Being British is about heritage. A minority of people have some British and some foreign heritage, and so aren’t white. But exceptions do not disprove the rule. Rishi Sunsk [sic] is Indian.”
When approached for comment, Tomlinson told The i Paper: “The British people are those with English, Scottish, Welsh, or Irish ancestry. You can no more become British by identifying as such, than a man can become a woman.”
Asked what he meant by “remigration”, he said: “Remigration refers to the reversal of mass unwanted, unassimilable migration. Therefore, every illegal migrant, incarcerated foreign person, asylum recipient, member of the Boriswave [migrants who legally came to the UK under Boris Johnson], and net tax burden should have their settlement revoked and returned home.”
Views will hit the party’s support
Some political commentators think that the increased exposure of Restore’s activists’ views will hit the party’s support.
Louis O’Geran of the More in Common think-tank said that despite Restore’s decent showing in the Makerfield and Greater Manchester mayoral by-elections, “awareness of Restore still remains pretty low, and people haven’t really got a hardened view of it yet”.
For example, last month More in Common conducted a poll in which it asked people to put UK parties on a scale from left-wing to right-wing. It found that Britons thought that Restore was no more right-wing than the Tories or Reform.
But O’Geran said that if the attitudes of activists like Downes’s received more attention, some “undecided floating voters” who might otherwise consider voting for Restore may be scared away.
“The more they find out about the kind of ethnonationalist leanings of many of its prominent members, I think that is when that group could be put off,” he said.
Farage has said something similar himself. “I suspect many of those who say Restore in answer to a poll are perhaps not quite aware. They see Rupert, they see this farmer from Gloucestershire, and they think ‘he makes sense’, but those he’s got around him, I think they’d be pretty horrified.”
He has also said there are “one or two people in the orbit of the upper echelons of that party who, if I sat down and talked to, I think our members and our voters would be utterly shocked.”
While some people think Lowe would be wise to distance himself from individuals espousing ethnonationalist views, he has so far shown little inclination to do so.
The i Paper asked Lowe whether he agreed Badenoch is a “foreigner”, if he supported “remigration” and if he agreed that Sunak “is Indian”. The i Paper also asked whether he was happy for these views and ethnonationalist comments to be expressed by people working for Restore or associated with it.
The response from a Restore spokesman did not answer these specific questions. The spokesman said: “Restore Britain has outlined our immigration position and wider policy platform, repeatedly. The media continues to entirely ignore that, yet takes any opportunity to smear the Restore Britain name.
“We want a mature and fair conversation about the comprehensive policy propositions that we are putting forward to the British people, on deportations, the cost of living, energy and much more.
“That is what we are focusing on.”
Ferme and Pitt did not respond to The i Paper’s requests for comment.
Downes has been contacted for comment. On X, he has previously said that his campaigning for “demographic security and sovereignty for the native British people” has “caused the establishment media to turn its guns on me and Restore Britain because the objective of their ideology is to dispossess the British of their homeland”.