Ex-Reform UK chair returns to party after two days
Zia Yusuf says he is returning to the populist Reform UK party, two days after quitting as its chair, blaming his abrupt resignation on exhaustion from the job.
Yusuf, a businessman who is not an MP himself, resigned on Thursday hours after a row with a Reform parliamentarian over her call for a ban on the burqa, the full-length garment worn by some Muslim women.
Yusuf became Reform chair last year, tasked by party leader Nigel Farage with professionalising the party.
Over the last 24 hours I have received a huge number of lovely and heartfelt messages from people who have expressed their dismay at my resignation, urging me to reconsider.After 11 months of working as a volunteer to build a political party from scratch, with barely a single… pic.twitter.com/gPRjpMGdeS
— Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) June 7, 2025
While it has since overtaken Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour in the polls and leads across the United Kingdom, the exit of several senior figures has raised questions over whether Farage can hold together a team ahead of the next election, expected in 2029.
"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," Yusuf said on X, referring to the earlier post announcing his resignation.
Yusuf said he would focus on a new role overseeing an Elon Musk-inspired "UK DOGE team" within Reform that the party hopes will reduce wasteful spending at the councils it controls after its victory in a series of local elections last month.
I am delighted that @ZiaYusufUK will head up Reform UK's DOGE department.He will also assist the party with policy, fundraising and media appearances. Zia will continue to be an important part of the team we are building to fight and win the next general election.
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) June 7, 2025
The party has seen departures from its upper ranks before.
One of its MPs, Rupert Lowe, was suspended by the party in March over allegations including threats of physical violence against Yusuf.
No charges were brought against Lowe, who denies the allegations.
And in November its deputy leader Ben Habib quit, citing "fundamental differences" with Farage.
Farage said Yusuf would assist Reform with policy, fundraising and media appearances in addition to his work on local councils.
"Zia will continue to be an important part of the team we are building to fight and win the next general election," Farage wrote on X.
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