Reform UK Chairman resigns after burqa ban row

Zia Yusuf, chairman of Britain’s far-right Reform UK party, announced his resignation on Thursday, citing a loss of confidence in the party’s direction and goals.

“I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time, and hereby resign the office,” Yusuf said in a statement posted to X.

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…

— Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) June 5, 2025

His decision comes just a day after publicly criticizing newly elected Reform MP Sarah Pochin for asking Prime Minister Keir Starmer whether he would support banning the burqa in the UK—an approach Yusuf called “dumb” for suggesting a policy the party itself does not endorse.

The abrupt departure highlights ongoing turbulence within Reform UK, the populist, anti-immigration party led by Nigel Farage. Since achieving an unprecedented 14 percent of the vote and winning five seats in last year’s general election, Reform has both celebrated rapid growth and endured internal conflict. The party has already lost one MP since its breakthrough showing at the polls.

Yusuf, 38, had served as chairman since July 2024, taking over at a time when Farage positioned the party for a long-term challenge to Labour’s dominance. Under Yusuf’s guidance, Reform claimed to have quadrupled its membership and boosted support to 30 percent in national polls—surpassing the Conservative Party in some surveys. He also oversaw candidate development and grassroots expansion ahead of local elections.

Despite those achievements, the party has faced public spats and resignations. Last month, ex-MP Rupert Lowe lashed out at Farage, calling him a “viper” after being suspended from the party following accusations he had threatened Yusuf. Prosecutors ultimately declined to bring charges, citing insufficient evidence.

Farage, responding to Yusuf’s resignation, said he was “genuinely sorry” to see him go. However, observers noted the departure fits a familiar pattern in Farage’s political history.

“It’s like déjà vu all over again,” wrote political scientist Tim Bale on X, referencing Farage’s history of fallouts with colleagues during his time leading UKIP and the Brexit Party. “No-one but no-one gets to be bigger than big Nige.”

"It's like déjà vu all over again". UKIP, the Brexit Party, and now Reform UK: no-one but no-one gets to be bigger than big Nige. https://t.co/78CjjapOsI

— Tim Bale (@ProfTimBale) June 5, 2025