Musk retweet signals rightwing split that could help Burnham in Makerfield byelection

Andy Burnham is unlikely to be Elon Musk’s first pick to be prime minister of the UK. But an intervention by the US tech billionaire on behalf of a far-right offshoot of Reform UK is one of several signs that a divided right wing could deliver the Makerfield seat to the Manchester mayor. 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 a 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”. …