United Kingdom

Reform UK Chairman Yusuf Returns After 48-Hour Exit

Published JUN 9 2025

Story

Above: Former Reform UK Chairman Zia Yusuf at a press conference in London on May 27, 2025. Image credit: Henry Nicholls/Contributor.AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

Zia Yusuf on Saturday announced his return to Reform UK, roughly 48 hours after resigning as party chairman, citing exhaustion and racist abuse on social media as factors in his initial decision to quit the role he held for over 11 months.
The Telegraph
guardian
The former chairman originally resigned following his public criticism of Reform MP Sarah Pochin's question about banning the burqa at Prime Minister's Questions, which he called "dumb," though he later stated he would probably vote to ban it if in Parliament.
Independent
ITV News
The Times (UK)
On X, Yusuf said that reading messages of support "redoubled" his commitment to Reform UK. He also announced that he would lead a "UK DOGE team" as well as work on policy formation and media representation. No formal job title was stated.
X
Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Times, Yusuf called his resignation a "mistake" and his comments on X — where he said his duties were "no longer … a good use of my time" — an "error." He also said that the burqa debate was not a factor in influencing his decision to quit.
The Times (UK)
The i Paper
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage reacted positively to the development, writing that he was "delighted" Yusuf had rejoined the party and promising that the former chairman would be "an important part of the team" in the run-up to the next general election.
X
Opposition parties criticized the rapid reversal, with Labour's Ellie Reeves calling it a "humiliating hokey-cokey" and claiming Reform's "revolving door" demonstrates that the party revolves around Farage. The Liberal Democrats, meanwhile, said the party was playing "musical chairman."
guardian
ITV News

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Reform Party narrative

Zia Yusuf's return to Reform UK is a huge boon to the party. Yusuf is a talented individual who has made great strides in professionalizing Reform UK over the last year in his former role as party chairman. At the head of a UK DOGE, Yusuf can utilize his business acumen to cut government waste and reduce bloated bureaucracies, benefiting UK taxpayers.

Labour Party narrative

This embarrassing flip-flop exposes Reform UK as the unstable political entity that it is, riddled with personality clashes and poor leadership. Following the civil war between Rupert Lowe and Farage, Yusuf's 48-hour resignation shows that the party is an unserious proposition and effectively a revolving door based around one man — Nigel Farage.

guardian

ITV News