Zia Yusuf Resigns Following Burka Ban Controversy

Reform UK Chairman forced to stand down after being cornered by Sarah Pochin

Dramatic departure comes at crucial moment as party contests key Scottish by-election

In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Britain’s political establishment, Zia Yusuf has announced his resignation as chairman of Reform UK, marking yet another significant upheaval within Nigel Farage’s insurgent political movement. The announcement came mere hours after Mr Yusuf publicly criticised several of the party’s MPs for advocating a burka ban, highlighting the deepening internal divisions that continue to plague the populist party despite its recent electoral successes.

The timing of Mr Yusuf’s departure could scarcely have been more awkward for Reform UK, coinciding precisely with voters heading to polling stations across the Scottish parliamentary constituency of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse for a crucial by-election. The party leadership had harboured significant hopes that a strong performance in this contest could see Reform leapfrog Labour into second place, thereby demonstrating the party’s growing appeal north of the border and cementing its position as a genuinely national political force.

In a lengthy statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Yusuf detailed his contributions to the party whilst explaining his decision to step down. “Eleven months ago I became chairman of Reform,” he wrote. “I’ve worked full time as a volunteer to take the party from 14 to 30 per cent, quadrupled its membership and delivered historic electoral results. I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time, and hereby resign the office.”

The resignation represents a significant blow to Reform UK at a moment when the party appears to be riding high in the polls. Recent polling data has shown Reform surging to unprecedented levels of support, with the party now leading national voter intention surveys at approximately 30 per cent, whilst Labour languishes in a distant second position at around 23 per cent. This remarkable transformation in the party’s fortunes has been attributed in large part to Mr Yusuf’s strategic leadership and organisational capabilities.

Farage Expresses Regret Over Chairman’s Departure

Responding to the news, Nigel Farage, Reform’s charismatic leader, expressed genuine sadness at losing his chairman, attributing the resignation to the intense pressures inherent in contemporary British politics. “I am genuinely sorry that Zia Yusuf has decided to stand down as Reform UK chairman,” Mr Farage wrote on his social media platform. “Politics can be a highly pressured and difficult game and Zia has clearly had enough. He is a loss to us and public life.”

Mr Farage was keen to acknowledge Mr Yusuf’s substantial contributions to the party’s recent successes, particularly highlighting his role in the impressive performance during last month’s local elections and the significant victory in the Runcorn by-election. “As I said just last week, he was a huge factor in our success on May 1 and is an enormously talented person,” the Reform leader added, demonstrating the high regard in which the departing chairman was held within the party hierarchy.

Mr Yusuf, a successful businessman who was recruited to the chairman’s role in 2024 following Mr Farage’s return as party leader ahead of the July general election, had been widely regarded as one of the most effective operators within Reform’s senior management structure. His appointment was seen as part of Mr Farage’s strategy to professionalise the party’s operations and build the organisational infrastructure necessary to compete effectively with the established political parties.

The Burka Ban Controversy

Whilst the precise catalyst for Mr Yusuf’s decision to resign remains somewhat unclear, the timing strongly suggests it was connected to his public disagreement with certain Reform MPs over their advocacy for a burka ban. The controversy began on Wednesday when Sarah Pochin, Reform’s newest MP following her victory in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, used Prime Minister’s Questions to urge Sir Keir Starmer to support legislation banning the burka.

Addressing the Prime Minister directly, Ms Pochin stated: “Given the Prime Minister’s desire to strengthen strategic alignment with our European neighbours, will he, in the interests of public safety, follow the lead of France, Denmark, Belgium and others and ban the burka?” The question represented a significant policy intervention that appeared to catch other senior party figures off guard.

The following morning, when approached for comment on social media, Mr Yusuf made his opposition to the policy abundantly clear, suggesting that the question had been asked without proper consultation or consideration of party policy. “I do think it’s dumb for a party to ask the PM if they would do something the party itself wouldn’t do,” he wrote on X. “Nothing to do with me. Had no idea about the question, nor that it wasn’t policy. Busy with other stuff.”

This public disagreement highlighted fundamental tensions within Reform UK regarding policy development and internal communication processes, suggesting that the party’s rapid growth may have outpaced its ability to maintain coherent messaging and strategic coordination amongst its parliamentary representatives.

Pattern of Internal Strife

Mr Yusuf’s resignation represents merely the latest manifestation of the persistent internal conflicts that have characterised Reform UK’s recent history, providing ammunition for the party’s political opponents who have increasingly sought to portray Mr Farage’s movement as fundamentally unstable and prone to destructive infighting.

Earlier this year, the party experienced another significant departure when Rupert Lowe, the MP for Great Yarmouth, was effectively forced out following a bitter feud that involved heated public exchanges, mutual accusations, and legal proceedings. Mr Lowe has subsequently emerged as one of Mr Farage’s most vocal critics, despite having been elected to Parliament under the Reform banner, and has publicly suggested that he is considering establishing his own political party as an alternative to Reform UK.

The pattern of departures and conflicts extends beyond individual MPs to senior leadership positions. Last spring witnessed Richard Tice stepping aside as party leader when Mr Farage, who at the time held ownership of the Reform corporate entity, decided to return to frontline politics following Rishi Sunak’s decision to call a snap general election. Whilst this transition was managed more smoothly than some other leadership changes, it nonetheless represented another significant organisational upheaval.

Perhaps most significantly, Ben Habib, who served as deputy Reform leader approximately one year ago, quit the party entirely following Mr Farage’s return to the leadership. Mr Habib has since transformed from a close ally into a vociferous opponent, regularly criticising the party’s direction and Mr Farage’s leadership style in media appearances and social media posts.

Historical Context of Farage’s Leadership Challenges

Political observers have noted that internal discord appears to be a recurring feature of political organisations led by Mr Farage, pointing to similar patterns of conflict and departures within his previous political ventures. Both UKIP (United Kingdom Independence Party) and the Brexit Party experienced significant internal tensions during Mr Farage’s periods of leadership, with various high-profile figures departing amid disputes over strategy, policy, and personal conflicts.

Critics have suggested that Mr Farage’s leadership style, whilst undoubtedly charismatic and effective at mobilising popular support, may be less well-suited to the complex task of managing diverse coalitions of politicians and activists within formal party structures. The frequent departures and public disputes have provided opposition parties with regular opportunities to question Reform’s stability and readiness for government.

Yusuf’s Unexpected Departure

The resignation was particularly surprising given Mr Yusuf’s recent prominent role within the party and his apparent position within Mr Farage’s inner circle. Political commentators had widely expected him to assume an even more significant role in the months ahead, particularly given Reform’s improving electoral prospects and the possibility of the party playing a decisive role in future general election outcomes.

Just days before his resignation, Mr Yusuf had been actively leading public discussions about Reform’s plans for local government, outlining various policy initiatives and strategic approaches that the party intended to pursue following its success in recent local elections. His detailed involvement in these planning processes had suggested a long-term commitment to the party’s development and future success.

On Monday, merely days before his resignation announcement, Mr Yusuf was photographed at the centre of a five-person team dubbed the “DOGE” unit (Department of Government Efficiency), which was being deployed to Kent County Council to identify potential spending savings. This initiative, modelled on Elon Musk’s efficiency drive within Donald Trump’s administration, represented the kind of innovative policy implementation that had characterised Mr Yusuf’s approach to party management and had been seen as evidence of his growing influence within Reform’s strategic planning.

Internal Power Dynamics

According to well-placed sources familiar with Reform UK’s internal dynamics, Mr Yusuf’s departure may have been precipitated by recent organisational changes that appeared to diminish his control over certain areas of party operations. These sources suggest that the former chairman had become increasingly frustrated with attempts to redistribute internal responsibilities and reduce his influence over key decision-making processes.

The promotion of Aaron Lobo, Mr Farage’s former producer on GB News, to a more senior operational role within the party appears to have been a particular source of tension. One source indicated to The Telegraph that this appointment resulted in Mr Yusuf losing direct control over several areas that had previously fallen within his remit, thereby creating friction between different factions within the party’s senior management structure.

These internal power struggles highlight the challenges facing Reform UK as it attempts to transition from a relatively small protest movement into a major political party capable of competing effectively at all levels of British politics. The need to balance different personalities, egos, and strategic approaches whilst maintaining party unity represents a significant organisational challenge that has clearly proven difficult to navigate.

Implications for Reform’s Future

Mr Yusuf’s departure raises important questions about Reform UK’s ability to maintain the organisational coherence and strategic focus necessary to capitalise on its current polling advantages. His acknowledged contributions to the party’s recent growth in membership and electoral performance suggest that his absence may create a significant gap in the party’s operational capabilities.

The timing of the resignation, coinciding with a crucial by-election in Scotland, underscores the potential impact of internal divisions on Reform’s broader political objectives. The party’s hopes of establishing itself as a major force in Scottish politics could be undermined by perceptions of instability and internal conflict at the highest levels of the organisation.

As Reform UK continues to lead national polling and positions itself as a potential party of government, the ability to resolve internal disputes and maintain unity amongst senior figures will be crucial to its long-term success. The pattern of high-profile departures and public disagreements suggests that significant challenges remain in transforming the party from an effective opposition movement into a stable governing organisation capable of implementing coherent policy programmes.

The resignation of Zia Yusuf thus represents not merely the departure of a single individual, but a potential inflection point in Reform UK’s development as a political force in contemporary British politics.

Comment

Muhammad Zia Yusuf WAS NOT an asset to Reform UK, his entry into the party was at best suspicious and his carefully prepared speech at the Reform UK conference last year which won over many people, did not fool those who could see exactly what he was there for. Sources even suggest that his donation did not come from his pocket, but rather from a certain community who had plans to influence the party for their own benefit.

However, Muhammad did not expect the latest formidable Reform UK MP to put him on the spot by asking the Prime Minister if he would ban the Burka, which was then badly handled by Muhammad, who said it was silly as it was not party policy.

There are still a few more ‘double agents’ who need to go, but this is a good start!