Zia Yusuf’s resignation from Reform UK has triggered a predictable round of speculation from media commentators and political opponents. The focus, as usual, is on personalities rather than policies. Some have asked whether Nigel Farage has what it takes to be prime minister. That question, once dismissed out of hand, is now being taken seriously. The reason is simple: the political establishment knows Reform UK is gaining ground.
Zia Yusuf contributed to the party’s growth, particularly in London. His departure reflects individual differences, not instability. Reform UK is bigger than one person, and the movement continues to attract growing public support. This is not a crisis. It is part of the normal evolution of a political party on the rise.
Nigel Farage: A Political Outsider
Nigel Farage has spent much of his adult life in politics, but he is no Westminster insider. He served for over 20 years as a Member of the European Parliament, where he consistently challenged the EU establishment and gave voice to public concerns that mainstream parties ignored. But he never held office in the UK Parliament, never served in government, and never drew a salary as a British MP.
Farage is not a career politician in the conventional sense. He did not come through a party machine, a think tank, or a parliamentary adviser route. He worked in the private sector before entering politics and built his own platform outside the two-party system. His campaigns forced national issues into the spotlight and reshaped political debate in the UK.
Brexit would not have happened without him. His critics may dislike his approach, but his political impact is undeniable. He has done more to shift national policy than most sitting MPs have managed in their entire careers.
Reform UK: More Than One Man
While Farage is a national figure, Reform UK is not built around a single personality. It is a party driven by values, grounded in policy, and powered by people who are serious about changing the country for the better.
Across the party, there are capable, principled, and tenacious individuals stepping forward. From veterans and entrepreneurs to local councillors and community advocates, Reform UK is attracting people with real-world experience and a commitment to public service. These are not political insiders looking for a safe career. They are people who want to fix what has been broken.
We are building a party that represents ordinary people and puts national interest first. That means lower taxes, secure borders, affordable energy, better policing, and real reform of our public services. We believe in getting things done, not in playing political games.
Local Elections: Exceeding Expectations
In the recent local elections, Reform UK performed far better than most commentators predicted. In dozens of areas we came second, sometimes within a few hundred votes of long-standing incumbents. These results were achieved with limited resources and under intense media scrutiny.
This matters. It shows that our message is landing with voters. It also shows that we are learning fast. Reform UK is still a young party, and we are on a learning curve. But the direction is clear, and the energy is real. The gap between what voters want and what the legacy parties offer is widening. We are stepping into that space with purpose.
The Bigger Picture
Zia Yusuf’s departure is not the story the public is focused on. Voters are far more concerned with the cost of living, the collapse in public services, the rise in illegal immigration, and the general decline in national standards. That is what we are talking about. That is where our energy is focused.
The media will continue to speculate about internal dynamics, but Reform UK is not distracted. We are here to offer a serious alternative to the status quo. One that challenges the failures of both Labour and the Conservatives, and puts ordinary people back at the centre of national life.
Ready to Lead
Nigel Farage has the political record, the public profile, and the determination to lead. But he is not alone. Reform UK is bringing together a serious and committed team of people who want to restore competence and integrity to public life. That team is growing by the day.
The political class is out of touch. The public knows it. Reform UK is offering something different. Not just slogans or slogans wrapped in spin, but a platform built on truth, accountability, and national renewal.
We are ready for the fight ahead. And Britain is ready for Reform.
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Update – 7 June 2025
Two days after stepping down, Zia Yusuf has rejoined Reform UK and taken on a senior executive role in the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which focuses on identifying and eliminating waste in local council spending . His return was confirmed in a joint statement with Nigel Farage, who praised Yusuf’s expertise and said the mission of getting Reform into government remains central .