On October 17, 2025, the Conservative Party made a move that’s already sending ripples through Westminster: former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe will take one of the Tories’ coveted seats on the influential Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The decision is a striking example of cross-party collaboration—though not without its critics and political undertones.
Lowe, the current MP for Great Yarmouth, was elected in 2024 under the Reform UK banner. But his tenure with the party was cut short in March 2025 after a high-profile dispute with party leader Nigel Farage and then-chairman Zia Yusuf. Following his expulsion, Lowe has been sitting as an Independent, yet his political journey has taken another twist with this latest appointment.
The PAC, widely regarded as one of the most powerful committees in the House of Commons, is tasked with overseeing government spending and ensuring taxpayers’ money is used efficiently. The committee comprises 16 members, has a Labour majority, and is chaired by Conservative MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown. Lowe will be filling the seat vacated by Bromley and Biggin Hill MP Peter Fortune, who is stepping down to focus on supporting the shadow science and technology team and his constituents, according to BBC.
The Conservative Party’s rationale for the appointment is clear. A party spokesperson said, “We want the Public Accounts Committee to do its job of ensuring taxpayers get better value for money from the state, as well as identifying areas of government waste. Having someone who has run a business and shares our values on cutting waste on this committee will help meet that goal.” The spokesperson emphasized that this decision follows in the spirit of cross-party cooperation, referencing Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch’s previous offer to work with Labour leader Keir Starmer on welfare savings.
For his part, Lowe has expressed both gratitude and determination. Speaking to PA, he remarked, “It’s an honour to be selected to serve the British people through sitting on the Public Accounts Committee – I have committed a huge amount of time and energy to working on a cross-party basis in Parliament to deliver on a number of important campaigns. This is a continuation of that, and I look forward to using my extensive experience in business to ensure that British taxpayers are receiving good value for money on how their taxes are being spent.”
Lowe reiterated his commitment to fiscal scrutiny in a social media post, stating, “I am acutely aware of how hard British men and women work to pay their tax, an always-increasing amount. All of us in Parliament must treat it with the utmost care. I have committed a huge amount of time and energy to working on a cross-party basis in Westminster to deliver on a number of important campaigns. This is a continuation of that. I won’t shy away from asking the awkward questions, I promise you that.”
Despite the new role, both the Conservative Party and Lowe have clarified that this appointment does not signal him joining the Tories. He remains an Independent, even as he takes up a seat traditionally reserved for the governing party.
This isn’t the first time the Conservatives have offered committee spots to MPs outside their ranks. Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield, who left Labour after disagreements over the party’s position on women’s and transgender rights, now sits on the Women and Equalities Committee as a Conservative appointee. Similarly, DUP MP Sammy Wilson, known for his climate change skepticism, occupies a Tory spot on the Environmental Audit Committee. These moves, say Conservatives, reflect a willingness to work across party lines when it’s in the national interest.
The decision to bring Lowe onto the PAC has also highlighted growing ties between him and prominent Conservative figures. Since his departure from Reform UK, Lowe has launched Restore Britain, a political movement that has attracted several high-profile Tories. Former cabinet minister Sir Gavin Williamson has joined the advisory board of Restore Britain, while Susan Hall, a London Assembly member and the party’s recent mayoral candidate, has also signed on. Esther McVey, another ex-minister, has joined the panel of Lowe’s Rape Gang Inquiry, which is investigating gang-based sexual exploitation in the UK—a process running in parallel to a government-backed national inquiry launched in June.
Not everyone is cheering the appointment, however. A Labour source offered a pointed critique, telling BBC, “The Tories crashed the economy and sent people’s mortgages rocketing. So it’s no surprise they would hand-pick someone for this position who also has no fiscal credibility.” The comment underscores ongoing tensions over the government’s economic record and raises questions about the optics of selecting an ex-Reform MP for such a prominent oversight role.
The PAC’s work is widely respected for its rigour and impact, holding senior public officials to account and shining a spotlight on government inefficiency. With Lowe’s background in business and his reputation for asking tough questions, his supporters argue he’s well-placed to challenge waste and champion value for money. Detractors, however, see the appointment as a political maneuver—one that blurs party lines and, perhaps, muddles accountability.
The broader context also includes a pattern of Conservatives reaching out to MPs from other political backgrounds, sometimes to fill committee seats and sometimes to foster new policy initiatives. The party points to these moves as evidence of a pragmatic, results-oriented approach. Critics, meanwhile, contend that such appointments can be a way to sideline dissent or rebrand party priorities under the guise of cross-party consensus.
Amid these shifting alliances, Lowe’s own trajectory is notable. His exit from Reform UK followed a dramatic falling out with the party’s leadership, yet he’s managed to maintain a public profile and build new partnerships. Restore Britain, his post-Reform project, has quickly become a magnet for disaffected Conservatives and others seeking an alternative platform. Whether this signals a broader realignment on the right of British politics remains to be seen, but for now, Lowe’s presence on the PAC ensures he’ll remain a figure to watch.
Meanwhile, the committee’s agenda remains as vital as ever. With government spending under intense scrutiny and public trust in politicians at a premium, the PAC’s work to root out waste and demand accountability is likely to attract even more attention in the months ahead. Lowe’s appointment, controversial or not, is set against this backdrop of fiscal vigilance and political maneuvering—a reminder that, in Westminster, the lines between parties are sometimes less rigid than they appear.
As the dust settles, all eyes will be on how Rupert Lowe navigates his new role, what impact he’ll have on the committee’s work, and whether this latest cross-party experiment delivers the value for taxpayers that both sides of the aisle claim to champion.
