Zia Yusuf, the former chair of the right-wing Reform UK party, has announced his return to the party just two days after his unexpected resignation, which he attributed to exhaustion. Yusuf’s departure came following a heated exchange with a party lawmaker regarding a proposed ban on the burqa, a full-length garment utilized by some Muslim women.
Yusuf, who took on the role of Reform chair last year with the aim of professionalizing the party under the leadership of Nigel Farage, stated that the immense demands of the role led to his resignation. He explained, “After 11 months of working as a volunteer to build a political party from scratch, with barely a single day off, my tweet was a decision born of exhaustion.”
Despite the turbulence within the party, which has seen a number of senior figures depart, Reform UK has managed to gain popularity in the polls, even surpassing Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour party. Questions linger about the party’s stability ahead of the upcoming elections, which are expected in 2029.
Following his return, Yusuf voiced his commitment to a new initiative within the party that aims to oversee spending reductions in councils controlled by Reform. The initiative, inspired by Elon Musk’s influence, is known as the “UK DOGE team.”
Farage expressed support for Yusuf’s return, emphasizing that he will remain a vital part of the party’s strategy moving forward, particularly concerning policy development, fundraising, and media engagements. Farage stated, “Zia will continue to be an important part of the team we are building to fight and win the next general election.”
This recent scenario added to the party’s challenges, especially following the suspension of lawmaker Rupert Lowe over serious allegations against Yusuf and the resignation of deputy leader Ben Habib citing “fundamental differences” with Farage.
Yusuf’s situation underscores the intense pressures faced by party leaders, especially in the lead-up to significant elections, and illustrates the need for resilient leadership in navigating public and internal dynamics.
With the right adjustments and leadership cohesion, there remains optimism that Reform UK can harness its recent electoral momentum for future successes.
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