Infighting Erupts in Reform U.K. as Chairman Resigns

The unexpected exit of Reform U.K.'s chairman Zia Yusuf signals internal strife within the anti-immigration party led by Nigel Farage, occurring after disagreements on policy direction.

In a significant turn of events, Zia Yusuf, the chairman of Reform U.K., has resigned, marking a new chapter of turmoil for the anti-immigration party founded by Nigel Farage. His resignation, announced on Thursday, comes amid a backdrop of rising tensions within the party as members clash over fundamental issues.

Yusuf's departure is particularly impactful given his key role in shaping the organizational structure of the relatively nascent party. He stepped down following a heated disagreement with fellow party member, Sarah Pochin, a newly elected MP. The conflict arose after Pochin made public calls for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to impose a ban on the burqa, a statement that apparently did not sit well with Yusuf, who labeled it “dumb” for contradicting the party's established policies from the last election.

This internal dissent has not been unanimously shared among party leaders. Reform's chief whip, Lee Anderson, publicly endorsed Pochin's stance, asserting that “No one should be allowed to hide their identity in public”—a statement that further exacerbates the ideological divide within the party.

In his resignation statement, Yusuf refrained from detailing the specific reasons for his decision but expressed a clear disillusionment with the direction of the party, stating, “I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time.” His unexpected exit raises questions about leadership stability and the party's cohesion as it navigates turbulent political waters.