Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has come under heavy fire from Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf, who claims that history will view him as “one of the most damaging prime ministers in British history.” Yusuf criticized Johnson’s performance throughout his 2019–2022 term on important subjects like immigration, public spending, and the COVID-19 epidemic.
Yusuf went on to say that Johnson’s leadership had “nothing Conservative” about it and that the Conservative Party had turned into a “extremely left-wing party” in power. Additionally, he claimed that net migration numbers increased under Johnson, describing it as a “total betrayal of everybody who voted for Brexit.” He also criticized Johnson’s public expenditure policies, drawing comparisons to the Soviet Union.
Would Reform UK Accept Boris Johnson?
Yusuf made it plain that Boris Johnson would not be allowed to attend the party, even though there were rumors that he had lunch in Mayfair with Nick Candy, the main fundraiser for Reform UK, in late January. Yusuf reaffirmed, “There was nothing Conservative about him,” dismissing the idea that Johnson would join Reform UK.
Yusuf, on the other hand, commended former Home Secretary Suella Braverman and implied that the party would welcome her. He mentioned that he had met with her several times and characterized her as someone who had been “excommunicated” and made a “pariah” by the Conservative Party because of her immigration beliefs.
What Is the Polling Performance of Reform UK?
Reform UK recently made waves when it topped a YouGov opinion poll for the first time, beating the Conservatives by 21% and surpassing Labour by 24%. Rebranded from the Brexit Party, the party only obtained five Members of Parliament, including its leader Nigel Farage, despite receiving 14% of the vote in the most recent general election.
According to polls, Reform UK might win 140–200 seats in the House of Commons if a general election were held right away, Yusuf asserted. He even went so far as to say that the party might win as many as 400 seats in the upcoming general election, albeit there isn’t any polling data to back this up at the moment.
How Many People Are Members of Reform UK?
Yusuf disclosed at a recent press conference that Reform UK has about 200,000 members, which is a substantial number more than the Conservative Party’s stated membership. He emphasized the party’s quick development and professionalization, which he has been leading since taking over as chairman following the most recent general election.
Yusuf, a former banker who made over £200 million from the sale of his computer start-up, called himself a “proud British Muslim patriot,” highlighting the significance of his faith in his life. Additionally, he disclosed that he observes Ramadan. He demonstrated his dedication to the party’s success by personally contributing £200,000 to Reform UK during the most recent general election campaign.
Is the Rise of Reform UK a Concern for the Conservatives and Labour?
The main political parties have taken note of Reform UK’s recent climb in the polls. Kemi Badenoch, the newly appointed Conservative leader, denied rumors that her first significant policy announcement—making it more difficult for immigrants to obtain British citizenship—was a direct reaction to Reform UK’s growing support. She played down the party’s rise, pointing out that the SDP, another rebellious party, had once had a 50% polling rate but had eventually lost ground. She maintained, instead, that the Conservative Party is committed to “doing the thinking” required to put policies into place that will make people’s lives better.
Reform UK is increasingly the target of Labour’s criticisms as well. Labour views Reform UK as a growing political threat, as seen by Sir Keir Starmer’s criticism of Nigel Farage’s NHS financing position during a recent parliamentary session.
What Will Happen to Reform UK Next?
According to Yusuf, Reform UK is creating the framework for future political clout. “So much of what we do is about laying the foundations for generations to come,” he stated. He also emphasized that the party has accomplished amazing achievement in a short amount of time, even though it only has 24 employees.
Ahead of the next general election, the Conservatives and Labour will need to choose how to react to this new political force as Reform UK gains ground in the polls.
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