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Rupert Lowe threatens new party as Reform UK turmoil deepens amid Farage clash

Saturday, 17 May 2025 12:15AM UTC

Former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe brands Nigel Farage a "cult leader" and signals plans to form a rival party, exposing deep fractures within Reform UK ahead of local elections as accusations of misconduct and leadership instability surface.

The political landscape in the UK has been rocked by a brewing conflict within Reform UK, particularly highlighted by former MP Rupert Lowe’s stark criticisms of party leader Nigel Farage. Lowe has gone so far as to term Farage a “cult leader,” hinting at his intention to potentially establish a rival political party, framing it as a necessary alternative to what he describes as Farage’s "mobile PR machine." This dramatic rhetoric marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions since Lowe's suspension earlier this year amid allegations he vehemently denies.

Lowe’s discontent appears rooted in more than mere personal grievances; he believes his outspoken critiques pose a threat to Farage’s leadership. Following his ousting, he indicated on the Daily T podcast his contemplation of launching a new party as a response to the internal struggles of Reform UK. His statements resonate with a growing body of disillusioned voices within the party, who accuse Farage of exhibiting a lack of clear structure and accountability in leading Reform UK.

Critics within the party have echoed Lowe’s sentiments, suggesting that without substantial changes, Reform UK risks stagnation. Narratives of discord have cited Farage’s “messianic” style as a destabilising factor, suggesting that the party's future may hinge on resolving these internal conflicts. Instances of MPs expressing dissatisfaction with the current leadership are becoming more frequent, pointing to the difficulties Reform UK faces in establishing itself as a credible political force.

Moreover, the fallout from Lowe's suspension has revealed allegations of serious misconduct, including accusations of bullying from female staff. This predicament complicates the narrative further, as inter-party drama intertwines with personal conduct issues, raising questions about leadership accountability and ethical standards within the party.

Farage, for his part, has sought to downplay the significance of Lowe’s outbursts, labelling them as peripheral to the party's broader objectives. He recently promoted a wave of defections to Reform UK from various parties, asserting that such movements are a testament to the party’s growth and viability. In his view, the discourse surrounding Lowe is a distraction from the trajectory of Reform UK, which, according to him, is focused on expanding its base ahead of upcoming local elections.

This tense environment was encapsulated further when Elon Musk publicly suggested that Farage be replaced, assigning greater merit to Lowe in the leadership role. Such external endorsements only serve to heighten the stakes of this intraparty dispute, adding an element of public scrutiny that Farage may find challenging to navigate.

As Lowe continues to plot his political future amid these controversies, the dynamics within Reform UK remain fluid. The potential for a splinter group could drastically alter the party landscape, particularly if Lowe successfully garners the support of disenchanted Reform UK members. In the coming months, how this conflict unfolds will likely be pivotal not only for Lowe and Farage but for the future direction of Reform UK itself.

The situation serves as a microcosm of the broader challenges faced by political parties today, grappling with internal discord while trying to appeal to a shifting electorate. As the country approaches pivotal local election dates, the implications of this internal struggle may resonate far beyond just the party's immediate objectives, possibly influencing voter sentiment in the wider political sphere.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2056348/reform-uk-panic-nigel-farage-rupert-lowe-brutal-warning - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/10/rupert-lowe-says-reform-forcing-him-out-because-he-poses-threat-to-farage - Rupert Lowe, a former Reform UK MP, has accused the party of suspending him because he posed a threat to leader Nigel Farage. Lowe suggests that his outspoken criticism and potential to overshadow Farage led to his ousting. He also hints at the possibility of joining other political parties, such as the Conservatives or UKIP, but has not made any definitive decisions about his future political affiliations.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/09/from-trump-whisperer-to-trouble-angry-reform-uk-mps-turn-on-farage - Tensions within Reform UK have escalated as MPs express dissatisfaction with Nigel Farage's leadership. Critics highlight a lack of proper party structure and accountability, suggesting that without significant changes, the party may struggle to succeed. The internal discord underscores the challenges facing Reform UK as it seeks to establish itself as a formidable political force.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/21/nigel-farage-suspended-reform-uk-mp-rupert-lowe - Nigel Farage has criticized suspended Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe, accusing him of damaging the party and labeling his behavior as 'disgusting.' This criticism follows Lowe's comments about Reform UK being a 'protest party' and Farage exhibiting 'messianic' qualities. The dispute highlights the deepening rift within the party and the challenges of maintaining unity amid internal conflicts.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/09/nigel-farage-rupert-lowe-reform-uk-feud-escalates - The feud between Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe has intensified, with Lowe being stripped of the Reform UK whip after the party issued a statement detailing allegations against him. These include bullying complaints from two women and claims of verbal threats towards party chairman Zia Yusuf. Lowe has vehemently denied all allegations, accusing Farage of a 'malicious witch-hunt.'
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/nigel-farage-scotland-yard-reform-uk-great-yarmouth-lee-anderson-b1215460.html - Nigel Farage announced a wave of local politicians defecting to Reform UK as the party prepares for council elections. He addressed the internal conflict with Rupert Lowe, who was suspended amid allegations of misconduct. Farage emphasized that the dispute was peripheral to the party's progress and planning, suggesting that the issue was 'very much at the edges' of Reform UK.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/nigel-farage-councillor-defections-reform-local-elections-rupert-lowe-b1217134.html - Nigel Farage announced that 29 councillors from various parties, including Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Labour, and independents, have defected to Reform UK. This move comes as the party gears up for council elections. Farage addressed the internal row with Rupert Lowe, who was suspended amid allegations of misconduct, stating that the dispute was peripheral to the party's progress.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 6

Notes: The narrative references recent developments—specifically, Lowe’s suspension and ongoing tensions—but lacks a clear date or exclusive new revelations beyond what has circulated in other outlets. Some details, like Lowe’s podcast comments and the broader context of party discord, have been covered elsewhere, suggesting the article may synthesise or repeat older news. No evidence this is a new press release; thus, freshness is moderate.

Quotes check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative includes several attributed statements, notably Rupert Lowe’s ‘cult leader’ description of Farage on the Daily T podcast, and Farage’s own commentary. While these quotes are not uncommon in coverage of Reform UK, the specific ‘cult leader’ description and the context of Lowe’s intentions are not found in an earlier, definitive source online, suggesting originality within the narrative or aggregation from less mainstream outlets.

Source reliability

Score: 5

Notes: The narrative originates from the Daily Express (express.co.uk), a well-known but tabloid-leaning UK newspaper. While generally reputable for news coverage, the Express is not always regarded as highly reliable as broadsheets like the FT or BBC and occasionally features sensationalist or partisan framing. This introduces some uncertainty about editorial standards.

Plausability check

Score: 7

Notes: The claims—including internal party conflict, leadership criticism, and allegations of misconduct—are plausible given recent coverage of Reform UK and are consistent with other reports. While verifiable details are limited, the overall scenario fits within the context of ongoing public disputes and leadership challenges in UK politics. No red flags for implausibility detected.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative accurately reflects recent tensions and controversies within Reform UK, as reported by other outlets. Quoted statements are plausible and not found verbatim in earlier mainstream sources, supporting a degree of originality. However, the Express’s reputation for tabloid-style coverage and the lack of new, exclusive information reduce confidence. Overall, while plausible and partially verifiable, the narrative warrants caution and further validation.

Reform UK
Nigel Farage
Rupert Lowe
UK politics
party leadership