Zia Yusuf, the chairman of Reform UK, has announced his resignation.
In a post on X, Mr. Yusuf stated that working to secure the party’s election is no longer “a good use of my time.”
He mentioned, “Eleven months ago, I took on the role of chairman for Reform. I have dedicated myself full-time as a volunteer, increasing the party’s support from 14% to 30%, quadrupling its membership, and achieving historic electoral outcomes.”
“I no longer feel that working to elect a Reform government is the best use of my time, and I hereby resign from my position.”
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This follows a controversy where he referred to a query posed to Sir Keir Starmer about a potential ban on burkas by the party’s newest MP, Sarah Pochin, as “dumb.”
Many recognized Mr. Yusuf for enhancing the party’s operations, after they garnered millions of votes in the previous year’s general election.
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Party leader Nigel Farage expressed his genuine regret over Mr. Yusuf’s decision, stating, “I am sincerely sorry that he has chosen to step down as chairman of Reform UK.”
“As I remarked just last week, his contributions were pivotal to our success on May 1, and he is an exceptionally talented individual.”
“Politics can be an incredibly stressful and challenging arena, and it’s clear Zia has reached his limit. His departure is a significant loss for us and for public life.”
Deputy leader Richard Tice acknowledged that the party wouldn’t be in its current position without Mr. Yusuf.
Farage and Yusuf led the party together. Pic: PA
Rupert Lowe, a former Reform MP, had less flattering remarks regarding the situation.
He questioned, “How did a man with no political experience gain such authority within Reform… especially when he was consistently shielded and advanced by Farage?”
Mr. Lowe also revealed that he is pursuing legal action against Mr. Yusuf.
In March, Reform reported Mr. Lowe to the police for allegations including threats of physical violence against Mr. Yusuf. Prosecutors later decided not to press charges against him, and he was suspended from the party.
The latest controversy in the party originated from a question posed by the newly elected Reform MP to the prime minister in the Commons on Wednesday.
She inquired if there would be a ban on the burka “for public safety reasons.”
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Sir Keir Starmer opted not to “follow her down that line,” instead using the moment to critique Reform’s economic strategies.
Following this, Mr. Yusuf labeled Ms. Pochin’s inquiry as “dumb” on social media, clarifying that it did not represent party policy.
A spokesperson for Labour responded to Mr. Yusuf’s resignation, stating, “If Nigel Farage struggles to manage a small group of politicians, how could he ever govern a country? He has fallen out with everyone he has collaborated with.”
Daisy Cooper MP, deputy leader of the Lib Dems, commented: “It’s evident that Reform UK is failing to meet the needs of the communities they claim to represent. Instead, they have resorted to infighting like ‘rats in a sack,’ imitating the Conservatives’ playbook.”