THE REFORM UK TIMELINE
2024
Zia Yusuf Donates £200,000 to Reform UK
Tech entrepreneur Zia Yusuf makes a significant financial contribution to Reform UK, just weeks before the general election. This donation would prove pivotal in his later appointment to a senior party role.
Zia Yusuf
UK General Election
Reform UK wins five seats in the House of Commons. Richard Tice, Nigel Farage, Lee Anderson, Rupert Lowe, and James McMurdock enter Parliament as Reform MPs. The party receives over 4 million votes nationally.
Reform UK's Five MPs
Ben Habib Removed as Deputy Leader
Just one week after the election, Ben Habib is removed from his position as Deputy Leader of Reform UK. Zia Yusuf, the recent major donor, is appointed as Party Chairman. The rapid reshuffle raises questions about the party's internal dynamics.
Ben Habib demoted
Farage Interview with Steven Edginton
In a revealing interview with The Telegraph's Steven Edginton, Farage is pressed on demographic changes and immigration policy. His responses would later be cited by critics within the party.
Nigel Farage & Steven Edginton
Zia Yusuf Fires Gawain Towler
Reform UK's Chief Press Officer Gawain Towler is fired by Chairman Zia Yusuf. Towler had been with the movement for 20 years, serving through UKIP, the Brexit Party, and Reform UK.
Gawain Towler
Tice Distances Reform from Tommy Robinson
In an interview with Camilla Tominey on GB News, Richard Tice is directly asked about Tommy Robinson and makes clear the party wants no association.
Camilla Tominey & Richard Tice, GB News
Farage on Winston Marshall Podcast
On the Winston Marshall podcast, Farage discusses Islam and electoral strategy, warning about the political consequences of alienating Muslim voters.
Winston Marshall & Nigel Farage
Alleged Verbal Threats
Zia Yusuf later alleges that Rupert Lowe MP made verbal threats towards him during this period. These allegations would not become public until several months later.
Rupert Lowe
2025
Farage Promises Independent Rape Gang Inquiry
In Parliament, Nigel Farage commits to funding an independent inquiry into grooming gangs if the government fails to act.
Farage promises inquiry
Second Alleged Incident
Zia Yusuf later alleges a second incident of verbal threats from Rupert Lowe during this month. The details of this allegation would emerge publicly in March.
Rupert Lowe
Lowe Criticises Reform Publicly
In a Daily Mail article, Rupert Lowe publicly criticises Reform UK leadership, marking a dramatic break from the party line.
Lowe Suspended and Reported to Police
Just one day after his public criticism, Rupert Lowe is suspended from Reform UK. The party reports him to the police regarding the alleged threats made in December 2024 and February 2025.
Rupert Lowe
Police Seize Lowe's Firearms
At 21:30 at night, police arrive at Rupert Lowe's property and seize his legally-held firearms as part of their investigation into the allegations. The late-night timing draws attention.
Armed Police Arrive
Farage Explains Why Lowe Had To Go
On TalkTV, Julia Hartley-Brewer presses Farage on what exactly Rupert Lowe said that was problematic. Farage admits the issue was Lowe's politics and language.
Farage on TalkTV
Internal Messages Leaked
Leaked internal Reform UK communications reveal that Nigel Farage was personally upset with Lowe over the Daily Mail article criticising the party leadership. The leaks expose tensions within the party's senior ranks.
Leaked Messages
Lowe Launches Private Rape Gang Inquiry
As promised on 12th March, Rupert Lowe launches a crowdfunder for a private rape gang inquiry. He appoints Sammy Woodhouse, a prominent campaigner and survivor, along with Conservative MP Esther McVey as members of the expert panel. The campaign goes on to raise over £600,000, with hearings planned for early 2026.
The Inquiry Panel
Sarah Pochin Wins By-Election
Sarah Pochin wins a by-election and becomes the sixth Reform UK MP in Parliament. Her arrival would soon spark another internal controversy.
Sarah Pochin wins
CPS: No Charges Against Lowe
The Crown Prosecution Service announces that Rupert Lowe will not face any criminal charges. The investigation into the alleged threats is concluded without prosecution.
Charges dropped
Pochin's First Parliamentary Question
Sarah Pochin asks her first question in Parliament, calling for a burqa ban - a policy Reform UK leadership had not officially endorsed.
Sarah Pochin in the Commons
Zia Yusuf's Public Rebuke
Chairman Zia Yusuf publicly criticises his own party's new MP on Twitter, just hours after her parliamentary debut.
Zia Yusuf Resigns as Chairman
Less than a year after his appointment and following the public dispute over Pochin's burqa question, Zia Yusuf announces his resignation as Reform UK Chairman.
Tice Interviewed on Demographics
On the same day as Zia's resignation, Steven Edginton interviews Richard Tice on GB News. When pressed on demographic projections, Tice's response provokes criticism.
Richard Tice & Steven Edginton
Zia Yusuf Returns to Reform
Just two days after his dramatic resignation, Zia Yusuf returns to Reform UK in a new role - leading the party's "DOGE" (Department of Government Efficiency) team, inspired by Elon Musk's similar initiative in the US.
Zia Yusuf
Dr David Bull Becomes Chairman
Former MEP and TV doctor David Bull is appointed as the new Reform UK Chairman. In his opening speech, he makes a statement that surprises many in the party base.
Dr David Bull
Lowe's Firearms Returned
More than five months after they were seized, police return Rupert Lowe's firearms. With no charges brought and his property returned, Lowe's vindication appears complete.
Lowe's firearms returned
Nadine Dorries Joins Reform
Former Conservative Cabinet Minister Nadine Dorries defects to Reform UK. She is best known for authoring the Online Safety Bill - legislation criticised by many Reform supporters for enabling restrictions on free speech - and for her staunch defence of Boris Johnson.
Nadine Dorries joins Reform
Danny Kruger MP Defects
Conservative MP Danny Kruger defects to Reform UK, adding to the party's parliamentary presence. His defection signals growing momentum for Reform among right-wing Conservatives.
Danny Kruger joins Reform
2026
Nadhim Zahawi Joins Reform
Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi defects to Reform UK. As Vaccines Minister during COVID-19, he oversaw the rollout programme. He has publicly argued that immigration benefits the UK because remittances sent abroad help developing countries - a view at odds with many Reform supporters' positions on immigration.
Nadhim Zahawi joins Reform
Robert Jenrick Joins Reform
Robert Jenrick, former Immigration Minister, defects to Reform UK. During his time as Immigration Minister from October 2022 to December 2023, UK net migration exceeded 900,000 - the highest level in British history. He was also responsible for the controversial secret Afghan resettlement scheme following an MOD data leak that compromised the safety of Afghan interpreters.
Robert Jenrick joins Reform
Reform’s Record in One Glance
A clear snapshot of the core controversies and contradictions that defined the timeline.
Targeted Lowe for being “too right-wing”
After he challenged the leadership, Reform reported Rupert Lowe to police. Leaked messages and interviews show Farage’s real issue was Lowe’s politics.
Total Tommy Robinson disavowal
Richard Tice publicly rejected any association with Tommy Robinson, insisting Reform wanted “nothing to do with them.”
No interest in demographic change
Farage dismissed population change as “not a concern,” and Tice brushed off projections about Britain becoming minority white.
Rape gang inquiry promise — then U-turn
Farage promised an independent inquiry, but the party never funded one. Lowe was left to launch a private crowdfunder.
No burqa or halal ban
Leadership rebuked calls for a burqa ban and made clear Reform wouldn’t pursue it — nor a halal ban.
Worst-ever migration record welcomed in
Reform welcomed ex-Conservative ministers tied to record-high migration numbers, undercutting their own anti-immigration pitch.