Makerfield by-election LIVE as Andy Burnham issues message after polls open in Wigan

For weeks, Restore has sparked curiosity. The party has attempted to establish itself as a challenger to Reform UK in one of the most closely watched by-elections of the year.

In Makerfield, Rupert Lowe’s party is polling third at around five per cent. Quite remarkable for a party that only established itself in June 2025 and officially registered as a national political party on March 20 this year.

Despite the growing attention on Restore, the party’s candidate has – it seemed – remained largely out of sight.

The Manchester Evening News first contacted Restore on May 19, a day after local businesswoman Rebecca Shepherd was announced as the party’s candidate, inviting her to take part in a hustings event and requesting an interview.

Since then, there has been a lot of back and forth.

The M.E.N was unable to attend a Restore campaign event at Bryn Community Centre on May 21, but contacted the party several times to say the paper was still interested in future events and interviews.

Until today – Wednesday, June 17 – we have continued to seek an interview with candidate Ms Shepherd.

Earlier this week, many voters said they hadn’t seen her. Other media organisations are understood to have struggled to speak to Ms Shepherd.

Read our full story on the search for Restore’s candidate HERE.