A close ally of Nigel Farage has suggested the Reform UK leader may need to consider removing party chairman Zia Yusuf to end the internal feud threatening to destabilize the party.
Raheem Kassam, a key figure in Farage’s political circle and a well-connected figure in U.S. Republican politics, hinted that Yusuf’s leadership could be reviewed as Reform struggles to maintain its momentum.
The turmoil follows Farage’s decision to suspend Reform MP Rupert Lowe, who accused the party leader of running the movement like a “Messiah” and claimed he was punished for challenging Farage’s authority. Tensions between Lowe and Farage have simmered since billionaire Elon Musk suggested Lowe could be a better leader for Reform than Farage.
Kassam defended Farage, arguing that the Reform leader is not a dictator but a “meritocrat” who would be open to changes if they improved the party’s performance.
“If someone comes along who can run the party better than its current chairman, or if a deputy could help augment the work, he’d be all over it,” Kassam said. He added that Farage needs a “militant chief of staff” to keep him focused on his leadership role rather than being dragged into party infighting.
The controversy comes as Reform’s poll ratings have taken a hit. The latest Techne UK weekly tracker poll for The Independent shows the party slipping to 24%, its lowest level since January. The drop follows a turbulent week that saw Lowe’s suspension and allegations of bullying within Reform ranks.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives, under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership, have gained a point to reach 22%, seemingly benefiting from Reform’s struggles. Labour has also dropped a point but maintains a three-point lead at 27%, while the Liberal Democrats have reached their highest point of the year at 14%.
Despite the poll dip, Reform remains the frontrunner in the upcoming Runcorn and Helsby by-election, where Farage and Yusuf face mounting pressure to secure victory and prove the party’s viability in Labour-leaning areas.
Kassam, who has played a crucial role in introducing Farage to the U.S. political scene, argued that internal disputes are distracting from the party’s mission. He urged Reform members to rally behind Farage, whom he described as the movement’s hardest-working figure.
The row has become Farage’s first significant challenge since the general election, where Reform’s surge led to speculation that it could become a major electoral force. However, some within the party are now questioning Yusuf’s leadership, with critics blaming him for Reform’s internal divisions.
Michela Morizzo, CEO of Techne UK, suggested that Reform’s recent dip in support reflects both the party’s internal strife and broader concerns about Farage’s close relationship with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
“The one-point drop may suggest a waning momentum for populist narratives at a time when Trump’s aggressive economic policies are reshaping global dynamics,” Morizzo said. However, she noted that the Tory boost remains modest, indicating their continued struggle to regain voter trust.
Reform UK has pushed back against the poll findings, arguing that other Westminster surveys show its support rising despite the fallout from the Lowe controversy.
For more political updates, visit London Pulse News.
