Created in the 2023 boundary review, replacing Great Grimsby.
Ref took this seat from Con after 4 consecutive elections.
MP News Approval i
-36
Rupert Lowe
IndependentRupert Lowe is the Independent MP for Great Yarmouth, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024.
MPs voted on whether to approve new government regulations amending the rules around motor vehicle driving licences in Great Britain. These statutory instrument regulations update the existing licensing framework and required parliamentary approval to come into force.
MPs voted on whether to approve the government's local government finance settlement for England for 2026-27, which sets out how much funding councils will receive from central government. This matters because it determines the resources available to local authorities to deliver services like social care, housing, and waste collection.
MPs voted on the government's proposed principles for determining whether council tax increases in England in 2026-27 require a local referendum. This annual report sets the referendum thresholds — councils that wish to raise council tax above the set limit must hold a local vote to get approval.
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Sign up freeCoverage of Great Yarmouth has been mixed for Rupert across 40 recent articles.
Positive coverage
“REVEALED: The Norfolk town where nearly one in 13 social homes have mould” — Eastern Daily Press
“Rupert Lowe accuses GB News of having 'Farage's ban' on him” — The National
Critical coverage
“The Company You Keep: The Extremists Flocking to Restore Britain - HOPE not hate” — HOPE not hate
“MP's system 'holding up' Norfolk pothole repairs, says leader” — BBC
A marginal seat — won by just 1,426 votes (3.5%) in 2024. Covers Great Yarmouth, Gorleston-on-Sea and Bradwell (Great Yarmouth). Population 99,746, notably older (median age 46 vs 41 nationally). Median income £24K (below average).
Rupert Lowe accuses GB News of having 'Farage's ban' on him
The National · 9 Apr 2026
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Sign up freeMedian Income▼
£24,300
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Mean Income▼
£30,100
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Businesses▼
2,745
VAT/PAYE registered (ONS 2024)
Schools▼
43
30 primary, 6 secondary, 7 other
Total Income Tax▼
£166m
from 45,000 taxpayers
Median Tax▼
£2,110
per taxpayer / year
Mean Tax
£3,660
per taxpayer / year
Source: HMRC Survey of Personal Incomes, tax year 2022-23. Allocated by taxpayer residence. Covers income tax only — excludes NI, VAT, and capital gains. Sample-based estimate (~8% confidence interval).
Attainment 8▼
42.5
average score (DfE)
GCSE Pass Rate▼
58.7%
5+ GCSEs 9-4 (DfE)
1 large town, 3 towns, 8 villages, rural areas — 99,747 total population
Source: ONS Built-Up Areas (Census 2021) + data.police.uk — crime rates are per 1,000 population (last 3 months)
Source: data.police.uk — street-level crime data aggregated from LSOA to constituency
37 councillors across 17 wards · Last elections: Feb 2024
| Ward | Party | Councillor | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradwell North | Conservative and Unionist Party | Carl Smith | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Daniel Candon | May 2023 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Graham Robert Plant | May 2023 | |
| Bradwell South Hopton | Labour Party | Antony Daniel Capewell | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Carl Adrian Annison | May 2023 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Katy Stenhouse | May 2023 | |
| Caister North | Conservative and Unionist Party | Gary William Boyd | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Penny Carpenter | May 2023 | |
| Caister South | Conservative and Unionist Party | Brian Alfred Lawn | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Malcolm Dudley Bird | May 2023 | |
| Central Northgate | Labour Party | James Dwyer-McCluskey | Feb 2024 |
| Claydon | Labour Party | Bernard John Williamson | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Carol Ann Borg | May 2023 | |
| Labour Party | Jeanette McMullen | May 2023 | |
| East Flegg | Conservative and Unionist Party | James William Bensly | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Noel Douglas Galer | May 2023 | |
| Fleggburgh | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Adrian David Thompson | May 2023 |
| Gorleston | Conservative and Unionist Party | Emma Claire Flaxman-Taylor | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Paul Anthony George Wells | May 2023 | |
| Lothingland | Conservative and Unionist Party | Graham Carpenter | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Ivan Murray-Smith | May 2023 | |
| Magdalen | Labour Party | Alison Green | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Brian Gordon Pilkington | May 2023 | |
| Labour Party | Trevor Wainwright | May 2023 | |
| Nelson | Labour Party | Kerry Susanne Robinson-Payne | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Michael Thomas Jeal | May 2023 | |
| Labour Party | Tony Wright | May 2023 | |
| Ormesby | Conservative and Unionist Party | Geoff Freeman | May 2023 |
| Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Justin Paul Rundle | May 2023 | |
| Southtown Cobholm | Labour Party | Jennifer Constance Newcombe | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Paula Waters-Bunn | May 2023 | |
| St Andrews | Labour Party | Barbara Ann Wright | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Ron Upton | May 2023 | |
| West Flegg | Conservative and Unionist Party | Andy Grant | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Leslie John Mogford | May 2023 | |
| Yarmouth North | Labour Party | Amy Louise Sharp | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Donna Kay Hammond | May 2023 |
Source: DCLEAPIL v1.0 by Jason Leman, LEAP (Andrew Teale) & Democracy Club. CC BY-SA 4.0. Data last refreshed: 1 Apr 2026.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ref | 14,385 | 35.3% | |
| Lab | 12,959 | 31.8% | |
| Con | 10,034 | 24.6% | |
| Green | 1,736 | 4.3% | |
| LD | 1,102 | 2.7% | |
| Ind | 230 | 0.6% | |
| Ind | 171 | 0.4% | |
| Ind | 131 | 0.3% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2017 GEWon 2015 GEWon 2010 GE | Con | 28,593 | 65.8% |
| Lab | 10,930 | 25.1% | |
| LD | 1,661 | 3.8% | |
| Green | 1,064 | 2.5% | |
| Ind | 631 | 1.4% | |
| Ind | 429 | 1.0% | |
| Ind | 154 | 0.3% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2019 GEWon 2015 GEWon 2010 GE | Con | 23,901 | 54.1% |
| Lab | 15,928 | 36.1% | |
| Ind | 2,767 | 6.3% | |
| LD | 987 | 2.2% | |
| Green | 563 | 1.3% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2019 GEWon 2017 GEWon 2010 GE | Con | 19,089 | 42.9% |
| Lab | 12,935 | 29.1% | |
| Ind | 10,270 | 23.1% | |
| LD | 1,030 | 2.3% | |
| Green | 978 | 2.2% | |
| Ind | 167 | 0.4% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2019 GEWon 2017 GEWon 2015 GE | Con | 18,571 | 43.1% |
| Lab | 14,295 | 33.2% | |
| LD | 6,188 | 14.4% | |
| Ind | 2,066 | 4.8% | |
| Ind | 1,421 | 3.3% | |
| Green | 416 | 1.0% | |
| Ind | 100 | 0.2% |
Rupert Lowe has not appeared in national political news coverage tracked by our system. This is common for backbench MPs who focus on constituency-level work rather than national policy debates.
7 articles hidden as not sufficiently relevant to this constituency
Independent MP Rupert Lowe has publicly accused GB News of censoring and banning him from appearing on the channel, claiming the broadcaster is restricting coverage of his Restore Britain party. The dispute follows his departure from Reform UK and ongoing tensions with Nigel Farage, with Lowe alleging GB News is more restrictive than the BBC.
A 15-year-old girl from Bradwell near Great Yarmouth died from MDMA toxicity after becoming unwell at home on January 24. Two men, including one from Great Yarmouth, have been charged with supplying the drug to her and another teenage girl, with further charges under consideration.
A 73-year-old woman from near Great Yarmouth, Janet Noon, died at Brundall care home minutes after paramedics and her GP decided against hospitalisation. An inquest heard the family claims this was a 'catastrophic failure', while medical staff maintain the decision was clinically appropriate, though her sudden collapse shortly after raised serious questions.
A fire at Oulton Broad North Railway Station in Suffolk has disrupted train services between Norwich and Lowestoft, with some services being diverted to Great Yarmouth via Reedham. Greater Anglia is accepting rail tickets on alternative bus routes to help affected passengers.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council's data reveals that 462 of its 5,802 social homes (8%) suffer from damp and mould—above England's 7% average. MP Rupert Lowe has described the situation as "appalling" and linked poor housing quality to frequent casework in the constituency.
Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig has accused Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe of wasting taxpayers' money and holding up pothole repairs by operating his own reporting system, which creates duplicate complaints. Lowe defends his scheme as successful, but council officers report spending over 40 additional hours managing duplicate reports.
A 19-year-old was arrested in King's Lynn following a police investigation into drug supply, with cocaine, cannabis, and a large sword recovered from a property. The case has been escalated to Norwich Crown Court with a hearing scheduled for May 6.
HOPE not hate investigates extremist and neo-Nazi support for Restore Britain, led by Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe, documenting connections between the party and far-right figures including members of militant neo-Nazi groups. The article questions why Lowe has not publicly disavowed these supporters and raises concerns about extremists potentially standing as party candidates.
Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain party is polling at 4% and drawing support away from Reform UK, creating a 'Nigel Farage problem' by attacking him from the right. The article suggests this splinter party, though small, could influence Reform's strategy and polling performance ahead of May elections.
Rupert Lowe, MP for Great Yarmouth and leader of Restore Britain, has been banned from making FoI requests via WhatDoTheyKnow after submitting over 1,000 requests. The website suspended his account for misuse, citing submissions of personal messages rather than genuine information requests, which Lowe characterised as censorship.
A new mural featuring a seagull, ice cream, and beach imagery has been created on Temple Road in Great Yarmouth by Reprezent Project, transforming a graffiti-plagued wall into public art that celebrates the town's holiday heritage. The project involved local community members and aims to combat anti-social behaviour while promoting the town's vibrant culture to visitors and residents.
Robbie Woods, a healthcare worker, has retired after nearly 50 years working in Norfolk hospitals, including significant periods at the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston and roles at hospitals in Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn. The article celebrates his diverse career spanning catering, management, and senior project roles across the region's NHS trusts.
Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe's pothole-reporting scheme, launched in January to allow constituents to bypass the council and report road defects directly to him, has sparked a heated row with Norfolk County Council leadership. Conservative council leaders claim the scheme is creating duplicate complaints and wasting officer time, while Lowe insists it is delivering results and blames the council's poor track record on road maintenance.
A local energy sector leader, John Best, has been recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of work advancing clean energy and sustainability across the East of England. His initiatives, particularly the Coastal Energy Internship Programme working with Great Yarmouth colleges, have expanded significantly since 2016 and created pathways for young people into engineering careers.
This article celebrates five Norfolk beaches recognised as among the best in the UK and Europe, including Gorleston (named best beach overall by travel experts) and Horsey Gap (13th in Europe on TripAdvisor). Great Yarmouth and Gorleston are specifically mentioned as prime examples of Norfolk's coastal attractions.
A new Pokémon trading card shop, Rare Rips TCG, has opened on Morton Peto Road in Great Yarmouth, attracting significant local interest with queues of 30-50 people on opening day. The shop, run by two longtime friends, sells cards and provides a community space for collectors to trade.
Norfolk County Council has extended Norwich's e-scooter trial with Beryl until May 2028, expanding from 100 to 500 scooters. The article notes Great Yarmouth's separate e-scooter trial with Ginger was suspended in 2024, making this extension directly relevant to the constituency as a comparison point for local transport policy.
RBD Glass Ltd, a Great Yarmouth-based manufacturer, is seeking approval for a £1m expansion of its factory on South Beach Road to install new machinery and a 22-space car park. The company, which employs 20 people, has been planning the expansion for 7-8 years and expects improved efficiency, though rising costs mean no workforce expansion is planned.
Nigel Farage held a Reform Party rally at Norfolk Showground, attacking Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig ahead of upcoming elections and launching particularly scathing criticism at Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe, accusing him of being motivated by 'loathing, hatred, bitterness and anger' following Lowe's departure from Reform to form his own party, Restore Britain.
Nigel Farage held a Reform rally in Norfolk with around 1,000 attendees, where he attacked Conservative leader Kay Mason-Billig and Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe. Farage criticized the council's financial management and accused Lowe of being driven by 'loathing and bitterness' following their public split, while also mocking a small protest group outside the event.
Nigel Farage criticised Norfolk County Council's spending decisions and debt levels during a Reform rally ahead of May local elections, while defending Reform's approach to council finances. The article also mentions Rupert Lowe's Great Yarmouth First party, which Farage dismissed as insignificant despite Lowe's departure from Reform.
Two men in their 20s were arrested following police raids at properties in Bradwell, Great Yarmouth, where cannabis, cash, phones and scales were seized. The men were released on bail pending further enquiries into suspected drug supply offences.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council has installed new CCTV cameras at six locations across the town, including cemeteries, parks, and recreation grounds, in response to resident concerns about anti-social behaviour. The initiative aims to improve public safety and deter crime in community spaces.
Plans to build up to 49 new homes in Martham, Norfolk have been recommended for approval by Great Yarmouth Borough Council planners. The development would involve demolishing a broiler farm and redeveloping the 2.36-hectare site with associated infrastructure and public open space, with a decision expected at a council meeting on April 8.
Gorleston Golf Club, a 120-year-old course in Great Yarmouth's neighbouring Gorleston, faces erosion threats from coastal retreat and is relocating two holes inland with council approval expected in April. The move affects a significant local landmark that draws over 2,500 players annually and represents efforts to preserve this historic sporting facility.
A critical opinion piece examining Restore Britain's recent social media post about dog welfare, which prompted scrutiny of party leader Rupert Lowe's past decision to have his 17-year-old Labrador euthanized by shotgun via his groundskeeper rather than through veterinary services. The article uses this incident to critique Lowe's wealth and distance from ordinary people's concerns.
Full Fact debunks a fabricated online exchange falsely attributed to PM Keir Starmer and Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe. The viral Facebook posts claimed Starmer threatened to embarrass Lowe on national TV, but the fact-check confirms this conversation never happened.
The Hair Base in Gorleston-on-Sea has won a national award for the second consecutive year, recognised for its community-focused approach and investment in staff development. The 26-year-old salon, founded by Emma Jarvis, emphasises stable employment and continuous professional development.
Church Farm Barns, a Grade II listed property in Rollesby, Great Yarmouth, is being auctioned with an expected price of £160,000–£180,000. The site includes a fire-damaged cart lodge and potential for development, presenting an opportunity for investment and restoration in the local area.
Gorleston Golf Club in Norfolk has received planning approval recommendation to build two new golf holes inland to replace holes 4 and 5, which are threatened by coastal erosion. The proposal aims to secure the club's long-term viability as a community facility while adapting to the impacts of coastal erosion on the Norfolk coast.
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