Zia Yusuf’s Shock Resignation Reveals Deep Rifts Within Reform UK
So, here’s the big political shake-up making waves—Zia Yusuf has just stepped down as the chair of Reform UK, and the reasons behind his resignation are as telling as they are dramatic. Less than a year into his role, Yusuf has made it very clear that he no longer sees value in working to get a Reform government elected. But what really sparked this sudden departure? A row that unfolded publicly over a deeply divisive issue: the burqa.
This all escalated after Sarah Pochin, the newly elected Reform MP for Runcorn and Helsby, used her very first Prime Minister’s Questions to call for a national ban on the burqa, citing public safety concerns. Now, that move didn’t sit well with Yusuf at all—especially given that it wasn’t official party policy. On social media, he didn't hold back, calling it “dumb” for a party to press the PM on a policy it doesn't even endorse. And that single word—"dumb"—essentially lit the fuse.
It was only hours after his post that Yusuf formally resigned. In a statement, he highlighted the time and energy he had poured into the party: taking Reform from 14% to 30% in the polls, expanding membership, and laying the groundwork for its ambitious plans. But clearly, the internal fractures had become too much. He stated plainly that continuing in his role was no longer a good use of his time.
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His departure is not just a loss of leadership—it’s a blow to the party’s attempt to look professional and unified. Yusuf, a British Muslim and former Goldman Sachs executive, brought a corporate edge to Reform. He spearheaded initiatives like the “Department of Government Efficiency,” aiming to audit and slash council spending. With his exit, that plan also seems to be falling apart, especially since tech entrepreneur Nathaniel Fried, brought in to lead the project, is leaving too.
Nigel Farage, Reform UK’s leader, publicly expressed regret over Yusuf’s departure, acknowledging his contributions but also hinting at his shortcomings, especially in managing political staff. Farage described Yusuf as having a “Goldman Sachs mentality”—great with strategy, but perhaps lacking the softer skills needed in political life.
What’s clear is that this incident has peeled back the curtain on internal tensions within Reform UK. From Yusuf’s clash with far-right elements in the party to his frustration over rogue policy stances, it’s evident that unity is fragile. Liberal Democrat Daisy Cooper even joked that Yusuf "sacked himself" in the spirit of Reform’s efficiency drive. Meanwhile, Labour was quick to question Farage’s leadership, pointing out that if he can’t manage a small team of MPs, how could he manage a country?
What’s also striking is the timing. Only days earlier, Farage had cited Yusuf’s heritage as evidence that the party was inclusive, deflecting accusations of racism. And now, a Muslim chairman has stepped away over a controversial stance targeting Muslim women. It’s hard not to see the irony.
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