Zia Yusuf has resigned as chairman of Reform UK, stating he no longer believes working to elect a Reform government is a “good use of my time”.
In a surprise announcement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday evening, Yusuf said: “11 months ago I became chairman of Reform. I’ve worked full time as a volunteer to take the party from 14 to 30%, 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.”
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, described Yusuf’s resignation as a “loss to us and public life.”
Yusuf’s abrupt departure comes after he criticised a Reform UK MP over her choice of question at PMQs on Wednesday.
Sarah Pochin, who was returned as the Reform MP for Runcorn and Helsby at the recent by-election, urged the prime minister “follow the lead of France, Denmark, Belgium and others” in banning the burqa.
Following Pochin’s question, a Reform UK spokesperson clarified that support for a ban is “not party policy”.
While Reform’s parliamentary caucus rode to the support of Pochin, endorsing a “debate” on banning the burqa in Britain, Yusuf called her question “dumb”.
He said in a post to X: “[I] had no idea about the question nor that it wasn’t policy. [I am] busy with other stuff.
“I do think it’s dumb for a party to ask the PM if they would do something the party itself wouldn’t do.”
Commenting on Yusuf’s departure, Farage said: “I am genuinely sorry that Zia Yusuf has decided to stand down as Reform UK Chairman.
“As I said just last week, he was a huge factor in our success on May 1st and is an enormously talented person.
“Politics can be a highly pressured and difficult game and Zia has clearly had enough. He is a loss to us and public life.”
Richard Tice, Reform’s deputy leader, said: “I wish to add my huge thanks to Zia for all his hard work and major help in securing such progress and success over the last 11 months.
“We would not be where we are today without him.”
***Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.***
Reaction to the Reform chairman’s resignation has poured in from across the political spectrum.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “If Nigel Farage can’t manage a handful of politicians, how on earth could he run a country? He has fallen out with everyone he has ever worked with. Reform are just not serious.
“The Reform chair has done a runner so that he doesn’t have to front up Farage’s £80 billion in unfunded cuts, which would spark a Liz Truss-style economic meltdown.
“Nigel Farage’s plans would put up every single mortgage in the country and hammer family finances, while forcing them to buy private healthcare. Working people simply can’t afford the risk of Reform UK.”
Rupert Lowe, the independent MP for Great Yarmouth who was first elected as Reform representative, questioned how an individual “with no political experience be given such vast power within Reform.”
Lowe was suspended by Reform UK and reported to police following allegations that the MP threatened violence towards Yusuf.
Lowe, who always denied wrongdoing, was ultimately cleared after a Metropolitan Police investigation.
Neil O’Brien, a Conservative frontbencher, commented: “Farage can’t work with anyone else for more than 5 mins so wouldn’t be able to fix the massive problems we face.”
Tony Vaughan, the Labour MP for Folkestone and Hythe, asked: “Where does it leave the DOGE Team that you’ve just sent in to Kent County Council?
“Will it just be your 24 year old volunteer in a baseball cap leading it all now?”
Just this week, Yusuf had been leading efforts to establish an Elon Musk-style department of government efficiency (DOGE) unit to examine all council spending in areas they control.
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper remarked: “By sacking himself, Zia Yusuf seems to be leading the ‘UK DOGE’ by example. You have to admire his commitment to the cause.
“It’s already clear Reform UK cannot deliver for the communities they are elected to stand up for. Instead, they have copied the Conservative playbook of fighting like rats in a sack.”
James Cleverly, the former home secretary who currently sits as a backbench Conservative MP, quipped that an image of the “new Reform chairman [has been] published.”
Neil Coyle, the Labour MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, said: “Reform couldn’t run a bath without a row and Farage fallout. Can’t work together, can’t work for our country.”
Jacob Collier, the Labour MP for Burton and Uttoxeter, commented: “No Reform MPs bothered to turn up to this week’s Strategic Defence Review or today’s statement on free school meals.
“Now we know why: too busy fighting amongst themselves.”
Callum Anderson, the Labour MP for Buckingham and Bletchley, posted: “The inevitable conclusion of any political project led by Nigel Farage. It always, always, always falls apart.”
Patrick Hurley, the Labour MP for Southport, commented simply: “Clown show.”
Josh Self is Editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on Bluesky here.
Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.
