Rupert Lowe REJECTS Nigel Farage's ultimatum as Restore Britain leader refuses to 'Unite the Right' with Reform UK

“The Reform Chairman, Lee Anderson, has said Reform will not step aside in any constituencies. Reform should ‘always’ be on the ballot paper.

“Meaning that Reform plan to run in every seat, even if there is an arrangement. This is not a constructive start.

“I have been realistic. Clearly, the whole point of any arrangement would be not to divide the electoral force. That would mean certain Restore Britain candidates standing aside to ensure a sensible and pragmatic approach to our voting system.

“If Reform are not willing to reciprocate in any constituencies, any at all, the offer I have made is entirely redundant.”

Reform UK has also ruled out a collaboration between the two parties if Restore Britain co-founder Charlie Downes is not removed from his position.

Mr Downes has become the centre of an antisemitism row after he claimed on X that Mr Farage had been “bought” by Jewish Supporters.

Mr Lowe responded on X: “Farage and Reform have also said that Restore Britain must outright sack Charlie Downes - putting a young Christian man out of work, just as he is looking to build his life and start a family.

“That is simply not how I operate.

“But I want to be clear - if a sensible reciprocal arrangement can be found on our proposed policy platform, we would be willing to stand our Restore Britain candidates aside in certain seats in order to defeat the left-wing alliance. For any political party, that is a big step to make - country before party.

“Reform have just outright rejected doing the same. If that position continues, then this whole exercise is futile.”

A spokesman for Reform said there was no question of any agreement with Mr Lowe’s party while Mr Downes was in place.

“There are antisemitic and extreme racists at or near the top of the party, and they would have to go first,” he said.

“We’re happy to talk but we can’t do when there are people in the party like Charlie Downes.

“This all started with the Groypers in the US and it’s happening here, putting out this anti-Jewish stuff that is very similar to the far Left.”

The Groypers are supporters of Nick Fuentes, the US far-right activist, who is frustrated with what he calls “organised Jewry.”

The Great Yarmouth MP added: “They have also said we must endorse Farage to be Prime Minister, and allow the failed Conservative ministers to again be part of a future cabinet.

“Contrary to reports, I have never said that Reform must dump anybody. That is not my place to do so. It is their party, it is entirely Reform’s choice who they run to be MPs or employ - it is putting these same ministers who failed Britain into a future cabinet which Restore Britain has helped to empower that I take issue with.

“Restore Britain will not be responsible for handing Nadhim Zahawi, Nadine Dorries and others some of the most powerful jobs in the country.”

He concluded: “A deal will mean give and take on both sides. I’ve been in business long enough to know that.

“Our original offer was focused on policy, their response is about personality.

“After all of the bad blood, if we focus on personality and ego, we will get nowhere. That much is obvious from the last seven days.

“Our papers on economics, energy, deportations, policing and much more show exactly what can be delivered - properly considered policy must be central to everything.

“The place to start this negotiation is on policy. Find common ground, sort out the clear differences, build on that and go from there.

“Restore Britain remains open to good faith talks where both parties understand the brutal electoral reality we are facing.”