Reform UK’s chairman, Zia Yusuf, sensationally resigned on Thursday, only to announce his comeback a mere 48 hours later. He’d quit claiming it was “dumb” for a new MP to ask the PM about a burqa ban—and that working for Reform no longer “felt a good use of my time.” But by Saturday, Yusuf blamed “exhaustion” and vowed to stick around to help Nigel Farage into No.10.
🎙️ Kuenssberg picks up the phone
On Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, the presenter grilled Reform’s deputy leader, Richard Tice. “It doesn’t look very professional, does it, for your chair to be in—then out—then back in again?” she asked.
Tice shot back: “Zia has done a brilliant job. The chairman role was too much for one person. We’re reorganising, and he’ll now lead our DOGE department.”
📊 By-election bluster
With the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse seat up for grabs, Farage claimed Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said he’d “prioritise the Pakistani community”—a phrase Sarwar never used. Kuenssberg pressed Tice: “Was Farage’s claim false?”
Tice insisted Sarwar had been “developing sectarian politics,” so Reform “called it out.” He added that Reform snagged 26% of the by-election vote—a near seismic shock that still left them third.
❓ Truth in politics?
Kuenssberg wouldn’t let it lie: “Do you not think it’s important to say things which are true? Mr Farage made a false claim on a sensitive issue—was he wrong?”
Tice doubled down. He argued Sarwar did say Pakistani communities should “dominate and dictate the Scottish educational agenda,” so his remarks weren’t “false” in context.
You can watch it below:
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