Great Yarmouth First

Great Yarmouth First (GYF) is a political party in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. It was founded by the constituency's Member of Parliament, Rupert Lowe in December 2025 and was registered as a political party in early 2026. Its leader is Jonathan Wedon. It is a local affiliate party of Restore Britain.

In December 2025, MP Rupert Lowe launched a new local political party within his constituency, known as Great Yarmouth First.^[4] At that time, it was yet to register with the Electoral Commission (EC). On 3 December 2025, Lowe stated 500 people had already joined the party whose year's membership fees have been funded by Lowe.^[5] At the time Lowe was emerging from a public feud with the leadership of Reform UK arguing for mass deportations and for allegedly bullying Zia Yusuf resulting in a police investigation and him being suspended by the party's whip.^[6][7][8] In February 2026 The Guardian described the party as far-right, and noted the public support of "ethnonationalist" Steve Laws.^[2]

On 28 February, it was reported that GYF had its application to be registered as a political party denied the previous month by the EC because it was "incomplete" forcing the party to apply a second time.^[9] The same day Lowe announced five candidates who would contest for seats on Norfolk County Council in the 2026 local elections.^[10] On March 4, GYF successfully registered as a political party.^[11] As Lowe became more involved in organising his national Restore Britain party he transferred leadership of GYF to Jonathan Wedon; his MP's constituency office manager who became GYF's director.^[12]

GYF contested ten seats in the 2026 local elections, nine seats for Norfolk County Council and one for Great Yarmouth Borough Council. Their candidates won all ten seats by significant margins.^[13][14][15]

GYF's sweep of Great Yarmouth spoiled Reform UK's efforts to win outright control of the Norfolk County Council, winning 40 seats but needing 43 for a majority, coming in second place in eight constituencies GYF won.^[16] Wedon, who was elected as councillor for Lothingland and to the Great Yarmouth Borough, stated in his victory speech that "we will give Great Yarmouth the loudest voice it has ever heard round that county council table and we will really start to make no apologies for the positive vision we want to take forward for Great Yarmouth".^[17] and said GYF has not ruled out working with Reform, stating "Rupert has been open about how he will work with anybody if it benefits the good people of Great Yarmouth".^[18]

GYF claims to represent voters who feel "apoplectic towards politics" and for those who "feel underrepresented, they don’t feel that maybe the current politicians represent their views and issues" while also claiming a "Rupert Lowe factor" towards their popularity.^[19] The party is anti-immigration.^[2]