Reform UK Chairman Quits After Calling MP 'Dumb'

Reform UK Chairman Zia Yusuf Resigns After Calling MP 'Dumb' LONDON, June 5, 2025 – Zia Yusuf, chairman of the Reform UK party, sensationally resigned today following an incident where he reportedly referred to his own party's newest MP, Sarah Olney, as "dumb." The incident occurred during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) yesterday, where Olney questioned the party's stance on banning the burka. Yusuf's subsequent resignation has sent shockwaves through the party, which was recently riding high on local election success. In a statement released earlier today, Yusuf said, "I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time, and hereby resign the office." The statement, released on X, follows the controversy surrounding his comments about Olney's question, which he described as "dumb" despite it not being official party policy. Nigel Farage, a prominent figure in Reform UK, expressed his sadness at Yusuf's departure, stating, "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." Farage's comments highlight the internal pressures within the party and the impact of Yusuf's resignation. The resignation is a significant blow to Reform UK, which had seen its poll ratings rise to 30% under Yusuf's leadership. The incident underscores the challenges and tensions inherent in the political arena.