Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has dismissed the right-wing Restore party as an 'unhelpful' rival that 'will not last', as the Makerfield by-election campaign enters its final stretch. Speaking in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Farage addressed speculation that Restore could split the right-wing vote and hand victory to Labour's Andy Burnham.
Farage's Comments on Restore
Mr Farage said Restore's support was 'overblown' but acknowledged it 'has the potential to be unhelpful'. He added: 'I don't believe it will last.' The Reform leader suggested the media was exaggerating Restore's impact, calling it 'a great media story'. He noted that only one voter he met had mentioned Restore, and that the message that 'if you want to beat Labour, you have to vote for us' was getting through.
Two-Horse Race
With 14 candidates in the contest, polls suggest the race is between Labour's Mr Burnham and Reform's Rob Kenyon. Mr Farage said: 'There is no doubt in my mind this is close. It is a two horse race.' He praised Mr Kenyon as a 'local lad' who represents business, family, and patriotism, and defended him against criticism over past social media comments.
Reform's Policy Announcement
Earlier, Mr Farage announced a new Reform policy to raise the VAT threshold for small businesses to £150,000. He said this would cost £2bn but would be covered by productivity increases, boosting the 'backbone of the economy'.
Defending Kenyon
Responding to criticism of Mr Kenyon's past comments, Mr Farage said they were 'the kind of comments you will hear in every pub in the country every evening'. He contrasted them with the grooming gang scandal, asking: 'Which of those is more serious?' Mr Kenyon himself said the criticism had not affected the campaign, as voters were not raising it on the doorstep.
Challenge from Labour
Despite Reform winning 24 of 25 seats in the Wigan local elections on May 7, Mr Farage acknowledged the challenge posed by Labour's machine and Mr Burnham's popularity as Mayor of Greater Manchester. He said: 'Our vote from May 7 is still rock solid. The question is whether disappointed Labour voters turn out in big numbers.'
