In an unexpected turn of events, Zia Yusuf, the chairman of Reform U.K., has resigned amid escalating conflicts within the anti-immigration political party led by Nigel Farage. His exit marks a significant setback for the organization, particularly as he played a key role in establishing its framework since its formation.
Yusuf's resignation comes in the wake of a public disagreement with a fellow party member, Sarah Pochin, regarding her recent call for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to impose a ban on the burqa. Yusuf, who identifies himself as a “British Muslim patriot”, described her remarks as “dumb” for being inconsistent with the party's stated policies during the last general election.
The rift within the party is not universally felt; other senior members, including Reform’s chief whip Lee Anderson, publicly supported Pochin’s stance, tweeting, “Ban the burqa? Yes we should,” asserting that individuals should not conceal their identities in public.
In a social media announcement, Yusuf offered no explicit reasons for his departure but expressed discontent over his role, stating, “I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time and hereby resign the office.” This departure raises uncertainty about the party's stability and future direction amidst deepening internal harmony.
