Reform UK Chairman Zia Yusuf Resigns With Parting Jibe After Burqa Row

Zia Yusuf, Chairman of Reform UKZia Yusuf has resigned as the chairman of Reform UK amid a row within the party around whether burqas should be banned.He announced his shock decision on X, claiming he no longer believed that “working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time”.It came just hours after he publicly accused Reform MP Sarah Pochin of asking a “dumb” question at PMQs on Wednesday.She had asked Keir Starmer whether he would ban the burqa, despite the fact that it is not Reform policy.Announcing his resignation, Yusuf said: “11 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.”11 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…— Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) June 5, 2025Banning the burqa, which is typically worn by Muslim women to cover their whole bodies aside from their eyes, is not even Reform’s policy.A spokesman told HuffPost UK the party wanted to see “a national debate” on the issue.Right-wing media personality Katie Hopkins then asked on X if party chairman Zia Yusuf was behind that quote.Yusuf quickly hit back on Thursday morning, writing: “Nothing to do with me. Had no idea about the question nor that it wasn’t policy. Busy with other stuff.”He added: “I do think it’s dumb for a party to ask the PM if they would do something the party itself wouldn’t do.”In a separate post he wrote: “Just to be clear, I learnt about the question and the party’s position re it not being policy for the first time on my X feed.“I’m busy with UK DOGE,” he noted, referring to Reform’s plan to mimic Elon Musk’s cost-cutting “department of government efficiency” which advises the White House.Meanwhile, Reform MP for Ashfield, Lee Anderson, wrote on X that the burqa should be banned, adding: “No one should be allowed to hide their identity in public.”Commenting on Yusuf’s resignation, Reform leader Nigel Farage wrote: “I am genuinely sorry that Zia Yusuf has decided to stand down as Reform UK Chairman.“As I said just last week, he was a huge factor in our success on May 1st and is an enormously talented person. Politics can be a highly pressured and difficult game and Zia has clearly had enough. He is a loss to us and public life.”Reform UK has been contacted for further comment.”Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “By sacking himself, Zia Yusuf seems to be leading the ‘UK DOGE’ by example. You have to admire his commitment to the cause.“It’s already clear Reform UK cannot deliver for the communities they are elected to stand up for. Instead, they have copied the Conservative playbook of fighting like rats in a sack.”Related...Reform UK Split As Chairman Hits Out At MP's 'Dumb' Question In PMQsNew Reform UK MP Stuns The Commons With Outrageous Request In PMQsRachel Reeves To Spend Billions In Red Wall In Bid To See Off Reform Threat

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