Dear John,

On Saturday, I emailed you about Zia Yusuf’s resignation as Reform UK Chairman, triggered by a bizarre row over burqas. It was a textbook example of Reform’s obsession with culture wars, and a reminder that this party is completely unfit to govern.

It should have been a low point. But somehow, they managed to spiral even further downward.

Barely 48 hours later, Yusuf was back on Twitter, announcing his return. Yes, after calling the party a waste of time, he was now declaring it “the most important project of my life.” Less Yusuf, more Yu-turn.

But it’s Farage who should feel most embarrassed. Speaking in Port Talbot on Monday (demanding government subsidies for steel) he was cornered by journalists. They didn’t want soundbites. They wanted to know: what on earth is going on with his party chair?

Farage fumbled. He made excuses. He said Yusuf had made a “mistake”, but that he’d “forgiven him.” Not exactly strong leadership. If Farage wants to be taken seriously as a future Prime Minister, this is not the way to do it.

Just imagine this party in power. A senior minister resigns, slags off the government, and returns two days later. A Prime Minister in open conflict with his Cabinet. Petty infighting aired in public. It’s not just amateurish, it’s dangerous. This isn’t how you run a country. Frankly, it’s not even how you run a student debating club.

And what did Yusuf get for his troubles? Not his old job back, but a bizarre ‘promotion’. He’s now Farage’s personal “DOGE” tsar (a nod to the Trump-Musk playbook). But while they’re busy roleplaying as disruptors, they seem to have missed the headlines: over in the US, Trump and Musk’s bromance just went up in flames. Reform’s imitation isn’t just absurd, it’s doomed.

Meanwhile, Reform’s new Chairman is David Bull, a TalkTV presenter and long-time Farage ally. How loyal? Well, loyal enough to once call Farage “prejudiced”, “dangerous”, and an “idiot”. He also called their mutual pal Donald Trump “a fool”. (We couldn’t agree more, David.)

Bull might lack any convictions, but he doesn’t lack connections to the media establishment. As a key figure in Murdoch’s media empire, he’ll now be the bridge between Reform and the right-wing press. Expect a barrage of friendly headlines and soft interviews.

But here’s the real problem. This kind of chaos isn’t just laughable, it’s a risk to all of us. Because under our broken political system, a party like Reform doesn’t need a majority to gain power. Thanks to First Past the Post, media distortion, and the unchecked spread of disinformation, a group this disorganised, unserious, and extreme could still end up holding the balance of power (or worse). That’s not just bad politics. It’s a flashing red light for British democracy.

We need a counterweight. That’s why Open Britain exists.

We’re dedicating time, energy and resources to exposing the truth behind Farage, Trump, and their imitators…and fighting for a democracy that works for everyone.

That means:  

• Keeping you informed, with timely emails like this one.

• Publishing deeper analysis, via our Ugly Politix Substack channel.

• Cutting through right-wing algorithms, with sharp, shareable content.

• Running bold campaigns, that you can be part of.

• Working with MPs, to build the fairer democracy we all deserve.

Just a few weeks ago, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Fair Elections - powered by Open Britain and our partners Fair Vote UK - became the largest APPG in Parliament. One of its top priorities? Tackling political disinformation and holding Big Tech to account.

If you believe this work matters, please click the pink button below and chip in today. Every donation helps us cut through the noise, push back against the populist propaganda, and keep Reform UK and their cronies far from power.

Thank you - always - for standing with us.

James Patrick

Campaigns and Content Officer

Open Britain