Rupert Lowe mocked for promising ‘imaginary billions’ as Restore Britain unveils ever more radical policies

Rupert Lowe has been mocked for promising a sweeping programme of tax cuts and giveaways while questions remain over how his Restore Britain party would pay for them.

In a post on social media, Lowe, the Great Yarmouth MP and leader of Restore Britain, listed a string of policies he claimed would make life more affordable for “young British men and women.”

“Student loan interest abolished, personal allowance hiked to 16k, stamp duty scrapped, VAT cut, no corporation tax on first £50k profits, childcare reformed and inheritance tax eradicated,” he wrote.

“A Restore Britain government will make life affordable for young British men and women. Detailed, fully funded policies.”

The claim that the policies are “fully funded” was quickly met with scepticism.

“Rupert Lowe appears to have forgotten that it’s well past his bedtime and has started spending imaginary billions again,” Truth Against Hate wrote.

Another commenter compared the proposals to the tax-cutting agenda of Liz Truss, writing: “Sounds like a Liz Truss idea. They would get in and realise none of that is possible.”

Others questioned the assumptions behind Lowe’s promises, with one asking where the money would come from and arguing that spending cuts could not cover the scale of tax reductions being proposed.

Another response said: “There’s no way you can do that so don’t lie. People respect honesty more than fake promises.”

The criticism comes as Restore Britain continues to build an increasingly ambitious policy platform.

The party’s own economic plan, The Wealth of Our Nation, says it would claw back £178 billion from what it describes as “excess spending” accumulated since 2019, using measures including a freeze on working-age benefits, cuts to quango budgets, reform of the pensions triple lock and an end to Net Zero-related public expenditure. It says these savings would help fund between £155 billion and £156 billion in tax cuts.

Earlier this month, following a meeting of the leaders of the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin in Cardiff, Lowe announced that Restore Britain would pursue a policy of “rolling back devolution.”

The meeting saw the leaders sign an agreement calling for constitutional change and cooperation between Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, saying that “Westminster’s time is coming to an end.”

Lowe responded by accusing the parties of seeking to “break up our United Kingdom” and claimed Restore Britain would instead seek to strengthen the Union.

“The SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Fein leaderships are gathering today to sign a deal ultimately aimed at breaking up our United Kingdom,” he wrote.

“Restore Britain takes the opposite view. Today I am announcing our policy of rolling back devolution. We will restore democratic accountability and strengthen the Union.

“Whilst ensuring a fair say for the Scottish, the Welsh, the Northern Irish – and yes, the English.”

He said a full policy paper was being developed and promised it would be “bold and radical”.

“The choice is clear,” Lowe said. “Accepting the status quo, and its endorsement of ever greater fragmentation of our United Kingdom. That is the commitment of every other major party.

“Or a determined effort to bring our family back together through rolling back failed devolution. That is what Restore Britain will deliver.”

The announcement was also met with mockery online.

“Pure nonsense. You can’t stop the inevitable. Concentrate more on your constituents and less on being a blowhard, Rupert, old boy!” one person replied.

Another questioned the implications of Lowe’s proposal for Northern Ireland, writing: “That means your Govt will unilaterally end the ceasefire in the north of Ireland.”