Farage’s Reform UK faces challenge from new far-right rival Restore Britain as by-election looms

Nigel Farage, leader of the anti-immigration party Reform UK, recently addressed the nation while standing in a field, speaking with "pure cold rage" about the fatal stabbing of Henry Nowak. The 18-year-old white boy was killed in December 2025 by a Sikh man. Police reportedly handcuffed Nowak, who was dying, and did not believe his claims of racial abuse.

“

It is time to respond with pure cold rage.

Footage of the incident, released by Nowak's family, shows the boy handcuffed and struggling to breathe. Politicians, including Kemi Badenoch of the Conservative Party, have used the tragedy to express grief and concern. Badenoch told The Times, "I just kept thinking, that’s someone’s boy. That could be my boy."

Farage has leveraged the incident to criticize what he frames as extreme racism against a white boy, even comparing it to the killing of George Floyd. However, observers suggest his primary aim is to counter the growing influence of Restore Britain, a new far-right group founded by former Reform member Rupert Lowe. Restore Britain has rapidly gained over 96,000 members and 13 councillors, many of whom have left Farage's party.

“

I just kept thinking, that’s someone’s boy. That could be my boy.

The upcoming by-election in Makerfield, Greater Manchester, on June 18, is shaping up to be a significant contest. The seat became available following the departure of Labour MP Josh Simons, making way for Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to contest it. If successful, Burnham would return to Westminster after a nine-year absence and could contend for party leadership against Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose party has suffered from recent poor local election results.

“

I can’t breathe.