Why Zia Yusuf changed his mind about quitting Reform

Well, that was quick. Within 48 hours of his resignation as party chairman, Zia Yusuf has returned to the Reform fold. In a joint Sunday Times interview with Nigel Farage, Yusuf has admitted to making a ‘mistake’. He will now take up a new revised role within the party, focusing on policy formation and leading on the party’s DOGE mission in local government. A new chairman will be named on Tuesday, amid a backroom shake-up focused on sharing the load on Reform’s leadership.

What led Yusuf to change his mind? The obvious precedent here is Farage himself in May 2024. He initially announced he would not stand in the general election, publishing a letter on X declaring he would focus on the US presidential race. But following an outpouring of support, Farage U-turned to announce his decision to stand. Similarly, within hours of Yusuf announcing his resignation, he was already having second thoughts. Reform UK insiders say he was deluged with messages, many of them heartfelt, urging him to reconsider. He decided to return, believing it to be his duty. ‘He thought he would be letting people down,’ says one ally.

Yusuf duly called Farage on Friday lunchtime, expressing both his regret and intention to return. Following a further call on Saturday morning, the Sunday Times interview was organised. Farage’s reaction to Yusuf’s initial departure was one of shock and remorse, rather than bitterness or anger. He welcomed the ex-businessman’s change of heart – along with much of the party. ‘Welcome back Zia,’ wrote Richard Tice on one internal Reform WhatsApp group. ‘Hope you enjoyed your holiday!’

In his interview with the Sunday Times, Yusuf repeatedly refers to the stress of being chairman of a start-up party since July 2024. Frustrated and irritated, he quit on Thursday, having criticised Reform MP’s Sarah Pochin’s call to ban the burqa – despite such a ban not being party policy. The issue here was less the burqa – Yusuf says now he would himself vote to ban it – and more the internal communications around Pochin’s question. Reform insiders point to his work in helping get her elected in last month’s Runcorn by-election.

Farage meanwhile is happy to retain the services of someone whom he has greatly come to respect. He knows that Yusuf’s many hours of work in professionalising the party – including clearing out much of the old backroom staff – was necessary, if not popular. Yusuf has always stressed his loyalty to Farage: in his first Spectator interview last summer, he made clear that he regarded the Reform leader as his political lodestar. To quit now risked jeopardising the mission to make Farage PM by 2029.

Yusuf’s return in a demoted capacity is a testament to his commitment to that mission and a willingness to put aside his ego. Reform’s equivalent of the Prigozhin coup has provided much amusement to their opponents. But ultimately, it could prove to be a blessing in disguise. Yusuf can now focus on the detail of local government, while Farage gets the chance to show that he can work with others and lead a bigger team.