A number of councillors who were previously elected under the banner of Reform UK have left the party to form a distinct local political grouping under the auspices of a new organisation known as Restore Britain.

The shift comes as internal tensions within Reform UK have intensified following leadership disputes and the launch of Restore Britain as a separate political entity by former Reform MP Rupert Lowe.

Among those who have re-aligned are councillors who had been sitting as independents or under the Reform UK label on county councils including Kent and North Northamptonshire.

The newly-formed group positions itself around a platform of stringent immigration control and cultural priorities, and its organisers have touted rapid membership growth in the weeks since their formal establishment.

The move has transformed the composition of some councils, with Restore Britain now one of the larger parties on Kent County Council after gaining multiple seats through defections.

The emergence of this new local grouping reflects growing ideological and strategic divisions on the right of British politics, as Reform UK simultaneously seeks to professionalise and broaden its appeal under Nigel Farage’s leadership.

Farage has responded to internal dissent by consolidating his frontbench team and emphasising discipline within the party, while the breakaway councillors have cited dissatisfaction with perceived centralised leadership and direction as key reasons for their departure.

The creation of the new council group has implications for local governance in areas where council majorities are slim and could influence policy decisions on issues such as planning, public services and fiscal priorities ahead of the forthcoming local elections.

With both Reform UK and Restore Britain contesting influence on the right, the development marks a notable realignment at the grassroots level of British politics.