Despite the criticism, Lowe has confirmed his new party, Restore Britain, will not stand a candidate in the Clacton by-election triggered by Farage’s resignation as MP before seeking re-election.
Instead, Lowe said Restore Britain would wait for what he believes could be a second Clacton by-election later this year if the ongoing Parliamentary Standards investigation into Farage’s financial declarations leads to further action.
Speaking about Farage’s decision, Lowe said:
“Through resigning his seat and calling a by-election, Farage has proven one thing today and one thing only, everything that he does is about one person. “Nigel Farage.”
He added:
“The people of Clacton do not need a media circus descending on their town over a busy tourist season because their MP has made a series of bad decisions.”
Lowe also criticised the estimated cost of the vote.
“This is going to cost the taxpayer a fortune.
“A quarter of a million pounds. Eye-watering sums of money.
“Think about what that money could do for the people of Clacton.
“Will Farage fund it out of his own pocket?
“Because he bloody well should.”
Lowe also repeated his criticism of Farage’s handling of a reported £5 million personal gift from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne, which is currently the subject of a Parliamentary Standards investigation.
“He should have declared that five million pounds. He knows it. We all know it.
“Now he is going to weaponise a by-election to distract from that.”
The Parliamentary Standards investigation remains ongoing and has not reached any findings.
Farage disputes Lowe’s allegations and says he complied fully with Parliament’s Code of Conduct after taking legal advice. During Tuesday’s speech announcing stepping down as MP, he described the investigation as politically motivated and denied any wrongdoing.
Although highly critical of Farage, Lowe confirmed Restore Britain would not contest the upcoming vote.
He said:
“Restore Britain will stand in the Clacton by-election. Not the first Farage has just called, but the second one, held later this year, when the investigations into Farage’s finances conclude as we all suspect it will.”
Lowe has publicly predicted there could be a second by-election if the Parliamentary Standards investigation results in further action against Farage. However, no such outcome has been determined and the investigation remains ongoing.
The developments will be watched closely in Swindon, where both Reform UK and Restore Britain have begun building support.
Reform UK made significant gains at May’s Swindon Borough Council elections, winning 14 of the authority’s 57 seats after contesting every ward.
Restore Britain has also started to establish a local presence. Around 50 supporters attended a Restore Britain meeting in Swindon during the local election campaign, while Swindon-based political commentator Karl Benjamin is closely associated with the party.
