Overview

• Zia Yusuf resigned on June 5, citing exhaustion after 11 months of unpaid work and a dispute over MP Sarah Pochin’s burqa ban question.
• Party insiders say racist and anti-Muslim online abuse contributed to Yusuf’s initial decision to quit as chairman.
• Two days after stepping down, Yusuf rejoined to head Reform’s DOGE unit, targeting waste in local councils and supporting policy, fundraising and media work.
• Nigel Farage helped persuade Yusuf to return and senior figures are discussing splitting the chairman role into separate operational and public-facing positions.
• Despite leadership upheaval, Reform UK leads national opinion polls and secured hundreds of council seats in May’s local elections.