Reform UK’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, asserted the party is operating strategically following a turbulent 48 hours marked by the resignation and subsequent return of chairman Zia Yusuf.
Yusuf’s resignation on Thursday was announced via social media, citing the pursuit of electoral success as an unproductive use of his time.
However, two days later, he announced his return to lead a new party unit focused on identifying local government spending cuts, modeled on the US Department of Government Efficiency.
Tice, speaking to the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, described the party chairman’s role as “tough and brutal,” suggesting Yusuf’s departure stemmed from exhaustion after 11 months in the position. He explained the party is reorganizing due to rapid growth, making the chairman’s workload unsustainable for a single individual.
Tice expressed his pleasure at Yusuf’s continued involvement, highlighting his new focus on the party’s “Doge unit”.
Yusuf’s initial resignation announcement on social media lacked detailed explanation. However, it followed his public criticism of Reform UK’s newest MP, Sarah Pochin, for a question at Prime Minister’s Questions regarding a potential burka ban.
On X, Yusuf (himself a Muslim) distanced himself from Pochin’s question, stating he had no prior knowledge and deemed the inquiry strategically unwise for the party.
In his Saturday announcement regarding his return, Yusuf attributed his initial resignation to exhaustion after 11 months of intense work.
Party leader Nigel Farage attributed Yusuf’s initial resignation to online abuse, describing it as an overreaction and a mistake.
Opposition parties, including the Liberal Democrats and Labour, criticized the events, with descriptions ranging from “musical chairs” to a “humiliating hokey-cokey.”
Tice refuted claims of internal chaos, asserting the party’s actions are deliberate and strategic.
He reiterated Yusuf’s exhaustion from a demanding 24/7 workload, emphasizing the high-pressure nature of leading a rapidly growing party. He concluded by highlighting Yusuf’s continued contribution to the party.
The party anticipates appointing a new chairman and deputy chairman next week.
Newbie councillors are navigating how to deal with other parties on councils in no overall control.
Labour’s Davy Russell won with 8,559 votes, a majority of 602 over the SNP.
Nathaniel Fried resigned from Reform UK on Thursday, following Zia Yusuf’s departure.
Reform UK recorded their best ever parliamentary election result in Scotland – with a 26% share of the vote.
The Conservative Party did not field candidates in the Norfolk by-elections.