REFORM was plunged into a chaotic civil war last night after its chairman Zia Yusuf announced he’s quitting the party.
Mr Yusuf announced on social media that after 11 months in the job “I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time”.
Insiders said that the chairman had felt “shafted” into running the party’s DOGE efficiency unit, aimed at slashing waste in local authorities.
He also earlier on Thursday clashed with Reform’s newest MP, Sarah Pochin, over the idea of a burqa ban.
Mr Yusuf said: “Eleven months ago I became Chairman of Reform.
“I’ve worked full time as a volunteer to take the party from 14 to 30 per cent, 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.”
Mr Yusuf was seen as a rising star in the party and close ally of Nigel Farage.
While not an MP, the entrepreneur fronted several of the parties press conferences.
He worked as chairman in a voluntary capacity.
Cracks in Mr Yusuf’s relationship with the wider Reform party started show months ago – but a major row over banning face coverings brought simmering tensions to boiling point.
Responding to Ms Pochin’s demand for a burqa ban, Mr Yusuf blasted: “Nothing to do with me.
“I do think it’s dumb for a party to ask the PM if they would do something party itself wouldn’t do.”
The comment contradicted strong statements in favour of a ban from Deputy Leader Richard Tice and whip Lee Anderson.
Reform is riding high in the polls but behind the scenes, it’s been no stranger to bloodletting.
Earlier this year, a brutal row saw MP Rupert Lowe suspended after Mr Yusuf reported him to police for alleged threats and bullying – claims later dropped by prosecutors.
Mr Lowe denied everything, accused party bosses of smearing him with “vexatious” claims, and said Mr Farage had stabbed him in the back for daring to push internal reforms.
Ben Habib, former deputy leader, backed him and blasted Mr Yusuf’s handling of the row, accusing Mr Farage of running Reform like a dictatorship.
The chairman’s resignation is just the latest bust-up in a long line of power struggles under Mr Farage’s watch, echoing the UKIP years when infighting over Islam, immigration and leadership led to splinter groups and walkouts.
This comes after Farage earlier this week blasted “net stupid zero” for obliterating the UK’s oil industry, ahead of a showdown Scottish by-election on tomorrow.
The Reform chief drew battle lines against the SNP as he warned Scotland is “literally de-industrialising before our eyes”.
In Aberdeen Mr Farage slammed the nats, led by First Minister John Swinney, for sacrificing an entire industry and thousands of jobs at the alter of green diktats.
He claimed neighbouring Norway is “laughing” as it watches ministers import Scandinavian fossil fuels while dismantling local industry.
Against the shouts of protesters, at a posh fish and chips restaurant the Reform leader said: “We can con ourselves as much as we like.
“There will be more coal burned this year than ever before in the history of human kind. The same applies to oil and gas.
“Even the most adren proponent of net zero has to accept the world will still be using oil and gas up until 2050 and beyond.
“And yet we’ve decided to sacrifice this industry as a consensus around Net Zero has emerged.”
Mr Farage added that the fight to save oil and gas is “almost the next Brexit“.
He said: “Believe me, the scales are falling from the eyes of the public when it comes to Net Zero.
“They realise we are putting upon ourselves a massive cost, let alone the opportunity cost of what we’re missing…
“When we closed down refineries.. and steelworks… all we’re doing is exporting the emissions of CO2 with the goods then being shipped back to us.
“The public are waking up to this.”
It comes ahead of a Hoylrood by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse on Thursday, described by Reform Deputy Leader Richard Tice as an “absolute cat fight” with the SNP and Labour.
Mr Farage acknowledged it would be an “earthquake” level shock if Reform’s candidate wins the seat.
But activists have reported being surprised at levels of support on the doorstep.
Mr Farage insisted the Reform “can replicate success in Scotland”.
AFPHe said: “I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time”[/caption]More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
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