Reform’s chairman Zia Yusuf resigned his post with a party jibe for Nigel Farage’s party after he criticised new MP Sarah Pochin for a PMQs question on whether to ban the burka
Reform UK’s chairman Zia Yusuf has dramatically quit after criticising its MPs for calling for a burka ban.
He tweeted: “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.”
In a parting jibe, he added: “I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time, and hereby resign the office.”
It comes only hours after he criticised newly elected Reform MP Sarah Pochin for demanding a ban on the burka.
In her first Prime Minister’s Questions appearance, she asked Keir Starmer whether he would join countries including France, Denmark and Belgium in banning the face and body covering worn by some Muslim women.
Lee Anderson, another Reform MP, tweeted: “Ban the burqa? Yes we should. No one should be allowed to hide their identity in public.”
Reform UK distanced itself from the question, confirming that a burka ban is “not party policy”. They added there needs to be a “national debate” about it.
But Mr Yusuf waded in to say it was “dumb” for Ms Pochin to ask the question if it was not Reform policy. His comment came in response to controversial commentator Katie Hopkins, who asked him on social media if he had been the one to say it was “not party policy”. The far-right TV personality added: “Burka ban MUST be party policy.”
Mr Yusuf replied: “Nothing to do with me. Had no idea about the question nor that it wasn’t policy. 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.”
Labour said Reform was once again fighting amongst themselves and warned voters Reform “only guarantees more Liz Truss-style chaos”.
A Labour spokesman said: “Nigel Farage could fit all of his MPs in the back of a cab, yet he can’t stop them fighting among themselves. Reform only guarantees more Liz Truss-style chaos.
“Their £80billion of unfunded commitments would lead to economic meltdown and put up everyone’s mortgage and bills. They’re just not credible.”
Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP said: “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.”
Reform leader Nigel 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 1 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.”