Zia Yusuf Steps Down as Reform UK Chairman Amid Internal Frictions

Tone & Political Bias: Weakly Right-Leaning

Why: The article focuses on internal challenges within Reform UK, with relatively neutral language but includes supportive statements from Nigel Farage and Reform figures, offering more favorable coverage to Yusuf than critics.

Yusuf Announces Resignation

Zia Yusuf has resigned as chairman of Reform UK, ending his 11-month tenure that saw significant organizational growth and electoral gains for the party. In a post on X, Yusuf stated he no longer believed “working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time.”

He did not give detailed reasons but emphasized his contributions, noting that under his leadership, the party's national polling numbers rose from 14% to 30%, and its membership quadrupled.

Internal Disagreements Surface

The resignation follows Yusuf’s public criticism of Sarah Pochin, the party’s newest MP, who called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to ban the burka. Yusuf described the move as “dumb” and questioned why Reform would ask the government to adopt a policy it doesn't officially support.

Pochin responded by praising Yusuf’s role in professionalizing the party, calling him “a great friend and colleague.”

Farage Responds

Party leader Nigel Farage said he was “genuinely sorry” to see Yusuf leave, describing him as “enormously talented” and “a huge factor” in Reform’s success in last month’s elections. However, Farage noted that Yusuf had seemed “disengaged” recently and may have “had enough” of politics, which he described as “totally unrelenting.”

Farage also acknowledged that Yusuf had a difficult working style for some: “Were his interpersonal skills at the top of his list of attributes? No. But I always found him, with me, very polite.”

Departure of Doge Unit Leader

Tech entrepreneur Nathaniel Fried, who led Reform’s new “Doge” efficiency initiative, also stepped down, stating that Yusuf had brought him into the party, and it was appropriate to leave with him. The Doge initiative, modeled after Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency in the U.S., was launched this week to target wasteful council spending. Fried praised the councils involved in the initiative and their efforts to reduce taxpayer expenses.

Background on Yusuf

A former Conservative Party member and banker, Yusuf sold his tech start-up for over £200 million. He joined Reform shortly after the 2024 general election and donated £200,000 to the party. As chairman, he focused on expanding the donor base, increasing activists, and modernizing the party's operations.

Yusuf had strongly supported Nigel Farage, calling him the UK's “next prime minister” and championing Reform’s mission to “return Britain to greatness.”

Reactions from Across the Political Spectrum

Liberal Democrats: Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper remarked that Yusuf's “sacking himself” shows Reform’s dysfunction, calling it a copy of the “Conservative playbook of fighting like rats in a sack.”
Labour Party: A spokesperson questioned Farage’s leadership, saying, “If Nigel Farage can’t manage a handful of politicians, how on earth could he run a country?”
Conservatives: Party leader Kemi Badenoch dismissed Reform as a “fan club,” not a serious political organization.

Internal Turmoil and Past Allegations

Reform UK has faced internal strife in recent months. Yusuf had previously been at odds with Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe, who was expelled from the party following accusations of staff harassment and threats of violence against Yusuf. The Crown Prosecution Service later decided Lowe would not face criminal charges.

Responding to Yusuf’s resignation, Lowe questioned his credentials, stating: “The question is – how did a man with no political experience be given such vast power within Reform?”

Reform’s Recent Performance

Reform UK has seen a rise in support since the last general election, winning 14.3% of the vote and securing five MPs. In recent local elections, the party gained 677 new councillors and won two mayoral races, signaling growing grassroots traction. However, the party continues to struggle with infighting and questions over leadership structure and policy coherence.