Former Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said it is ‘ludicrous’ to suggest that Restore will split the right-wing vote in the Makerfield by-election and hand the seat to Labour.
Leaked polling suggested the insurgent party – created by MP Rupert Lowe earlier this year after his acrimonious split from Reform – would seeGreater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham win.
A victory would pave the way for Burnham to challenge prime minister Sir Keir Starmer for the top job.
Speaking to Metro, the former Tory MP said the right-wing party was not there to ‘prop up’ Reform.
Bridgen, who joined Restore when it officially became a political party in March, said: ‘Restore is a political party, it’s there to stand in elections.
‘It’s not there to prop up Nigel Farage and Reform. A lot of people do not like Nigel Farage. They do not trust him, he is not trustworthy.’
‘Presuming everyone who would vote Restore would vote Reform otherwise is ludicrous.
‘What we found is that a lot of people voting for Restore wouldn’t normally vote. Around 48% of Makerfield’s electorate didn’t vote last time.
‘So you can win an election in this country by getting people who’ve given up on politics to go and vote.’
Current polling suggests the backing enjoyed by Restore candidate Rebecca Shepherd in the constituency is larger than the lead enjoyed by Burnham over Reform’s Robert Kenyon.
A More in Common survey for the Sunday Times puts Restore on 8% with Burnham on 45% and Kenyon on 40%.
Meanwhile, an Opinium poll for the Independent has Burnham on 46% and Kenyon on 41% – while Shepherd is on 7%.