Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf sensationally quits
Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf sensationally quits
He said he 'no longer believed working to get a Reform government elected was a good use of his time'
Zia Yusuf has resigned
(Image: Getty Images )
Outspoken Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf has sensationally quit his role after earlier suggesting it was 'dumb' of the party's newest MP to call for a ban on the burqa. In a statement, he said he "no longer believed working to get a Reform government elected was a good use of his time".
The 38-year-old became chairman of the party 11 months ago, and said in a statement that he had worked as a volunteer to quadruple its membership and deliver historic electoral results. But in a statement issued on X, he resigned from his position on Thursday.
In a statement, Mr Yusuf wrote: "Eleven 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.
"I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time, and hereby resign the office."
The decision comes after a dispute sparked by calls to ban the burka. Newly elected Reform MP Sarah Pochin ignited controversy when she utilised Prime Minister's Questions to inquire about the possibility of outlawing the burka in the UK.
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Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage expressed genuine disappointment regarding Mr Yusuf's decision to stand down. Mr Farage further stated: "As I said just last week, he was a huge factor in our success on May 1st and is an enormously talented person.
"Politics is a high-pressure and often challenging game, and it appears Zia has reached his limit. His departure will be a great loss to our party and public life.", reports the Express.
Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage and former party chairman Zia Yusuf
(Image: PA )
Earlier, Mr Yusuf openly criticised Ms Pochin's question by branding it "dumb" as it diverged from the party's official stance. He explained: "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."
Ms Pochin posed a question to Sir Keir about the possibility of the UK joining countries like France, Denmark, and Belgium in banning the burka, a traditional garment worn by some Muslim women.
She stated: "Given the Prime Minister's desire to strengthen strategic alignment with our European neighbours, will he in the interests of public safety follow the lead of France, Denmark, Belgium and others and ban the burka?".
Ms Pochin's enquiry sparked indignation among some members of Parliament in the Commons, while it visibly caught the Prime Minister off guard.
Sir Keir responded: "Can I welcome her to her place, but I'm not going to follow her down that line."
He continued, "But now she is here and safely in her place, perhaps she could tell her new party leader that his latest plan to bet £80 billion of unfunded tax cuts, with no clue how he's going to pay for them, is Liz Truss all over again."
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He concluded with an aside, "Although considering I think (Ms Pochin) was a Conservative member when Liz Truss was leader, she probably won't."
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