Reform Civil War Resumes As Senior Member Quits Party

A senior Reform UK figure has quit as the party’s simmering civil war re-ignited.

Tim Montgomerie, who defected from the Tories last year, said Nigel Farage needs to “get a grip” as he singled out Zia Yusuf for criticism.

He said the party leader needs to bring his home affairs spokesman “under control” if he is to re-assert his authority.

Montgomerie was suspended by Reform last month in the wake of comments he made about Yusuf on a podcast.

He said “Nigel has fallen out of love with Zia” and called for Yusuf to be more of a “team player”.

Montgomerie had initially planned to appeal his suspension, insisting that he had only been making “constructive criticism” of Reform in an attempt to make the party more electable.

But after talks with Reform chief whip Lee Anderson on Tuesday, he decided to quit.

He told the BBC: “I think they wanted me back in the party but meekly, and I wasn’t prepared to do that.”

Montgomerie added: “Nigel needs to get a grip, he needs to lead the party.

“The one thing he’s been brilliant at is policing the right and stopping [far-right activist] Tommy Robinson joining.

“But for the sake of his legacy and the sake of decency he needs to sort it out, and bring people like Zia [Yusuf] under control.”

He said Reform was now “at a junction” and must decide what type of party it wants to be.

“They haven’t replaced the Conservatives which was plan A,” he said.

“I fear a battle of attrition between the two parties which will helps no one. The real danger now on the fight for political turf is that they go after sectional interests.

“Does Reform want to be a party of government or does it want to stand at the edge and just change the debate?”

A Reform UK spokesman said: “We wish Tim the best for the future and thank him for his support.”

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