Tim Montgomerie made a bombshell claim about Nigel Farage (Image: Getty)
Nigel Farage may not lead Reform UK into the next General Election, a former supporter declared as he quit the party. Tim Montgomerie threw in the towel after a public spat with Reform’s home affairs chief Zia Yusuf. And he accused Mr Yusuf of plotting against Mr Farage, claiming he “freelances too much on policy.”
Mr Montgomerie was suspended after unleashing a scathing attack on Reform’s home affairs spokesman during a podcast interview last month. It follows criticism the previous week in which he condemned Mr Yusuf for calling a former Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace, who served in the Army, “a traitor to Britain”.
Speaking to GB News, Mr Montgomerie said: “I think if I had gone back, I wouldn’t have really changed my modus operandi, and I could have been thrown out.
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“So, I think it’s best for both of us that I stay friendly, hopefully despite this interview, but no longer be a party member.”
He also hinted that Mr Farage may not lead Reform UK into the next General Election.
“I think a lot of things are happening behind the scenes,” Mr Montgomerie told GB News.
The former Tory suggested the Clacton MP should adopt a different strategy amid a slump in the opinion polls.
He said: “I want Nigel to go back to the vision I thought he had two years ago.
“But what seems to be happening, particularly around Yusuf and other people, is the party is reverting to its comfort zone.
“Nigel needs to say, ‘Enough is enough. I’m in charge, and that’s the way it’s going to be’.”
The 56-year-old, who ruled out rejoining the Tories and opened the door to eventually returning to Reform UK, doubled down in his criticisms of Mr Yusuf.
Tim Montgomerie has clashed with Zia Yusuf (Image: BBC)
He said: “Zia is an embodiment of it, but there are plenty of other people in Reform who also, I think, want Reform to be more like some of the continental right-wing populist parties.”
“As a member of Nigel’s Shadow Cabinet, he should be controlled more by Nigel.
“I think he freelances too much on policy, he’s undermined party policies. I don’t know how he gets away with it.”
He added: “And I just do not know why Zia carries on like this, unless his primary aim is to be party leader and curry favour with the Reform vote rather than help Nigel Farage become Prime Minister.
“I don’t understand his actions if his primary motivation is to win the next election.”
Reform’s Zia Yusuf said in a short statement: “Clearly Tim disagrees with me on many things. Nevertheless, I wish him only the very best.”
A Reform UK spokesman added: “We wish Tim the best for the future and thank him for his support.”
The Express understands that Mr Montgomerie was suspended before his Spectator interview was broadcast last month.
It follows persistent public criticism of the party over many months.
Mr Montgomerie is the founder and former editor of the ConservativeHome website who briefly served as an adviser to Boris Johnson when he was prime minister.
He quit the Tories in December 2024 and joined Reform.
Speaking about Mr Yusuf, Mr Montgomerie told the Coffee House podcast: “There are a lot of people who are on not-speaking terms with Zia and it’s nearly always Zia who initiates it.
“It needs to end. You cannot behave like a child in politics. You cannot have litmus tests, so many litmus tests where you stop talking to people.”
Nigel Farage May NOT Lead Reform into the Next General Election, Former Ally Warns
Nigel Farage’s future as leader of Reform UK has come under renewed scrutiny after former ally Tim Montgomerie suggested that the veteran politician might not lead the party into the next general election. His comments have raised fresh questions about internal tensions, disagreements over policy and the challenge of maintaining a united political movement as Reform attempts to establish itself as a serious contender for power.
Montgomerie, the founder of the ConservativeHome website and a former adviser to Boris Johnson, had previously left the Conservative Party to support Reform UK. However, his relationship with the party deteriorated following disagreements with its home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf. After being suspended, Montgomerie announced his departure and publicly questioned whether some figures within Reform were working towards the same objectives as Farage.
The dispute has exposed a difficult issue for the party: how can it preserve the leadership structure that has made Farage its most recognisable figure while allowing senior colleagues to develop policies and build their own political profiles?
Although Farage has publicly declared his determination to lead Reform into the next general election, speculation about his long-term future has continued.
Tim Montgomerie Questions Farage’s Leadership Future
Montgomerie’s departure became particularly significant because he had once been a supporter of Farage’s political project. His criticism was not simply directed at Reform’s policies but also at the relationship between the party leader and senior members of his team.
In comments reported in September 2026, Montgomerie accused Yusuf of operating too independently on policy and suggested that his actions were undermining Farage’s ambitions. He questioned why Yusuf continued to make controversial interventions if his principal objective was to help Reform win the next election.
Montgomerie also speculated that Yusuf might be interested in becoming party leader himself. That was his interpretation of Yusuf’s behaviour, rather than evidence that a formal leadership challenge had been launched. Yusuf responded by acknowledging their disagreements and wishing Montgomerie well. Reform UK also thanked the former supporter for his contribution. <Cite refs={[“turn324133search9”]}/>
The row nevertheless highlighted a central question for Reform: who makes the final decisions on policy, and how much freedom should senior figures have to speak independently?
Political parties inevitably contain disagreements. A party seeking to expand its support may include people with different backgrounds, priorities and approaches. The difficulty arises when those differences become public disputes that distract attention from the party’s stated programme.
For Montgomerie, the disagreement was serious enough to end his association with Reform. For Farage, it creates another challenge in managing a team whose members are increasingly prominent in their own right.
Zia Yusuf at the Centre of the Dispute
Yusuf has become one of the most visible figures in Reform UK’s senior team, particularly on immigration and home affairs. His direct communication style and willingness to enter public disputes have helped make him a prominent spokesperson, but they have also attracted criticism from people who believe his interventions can create unnecessary difficulties for the party.
Montgomerie argued that Yusuf needed to be more closely controlled by Farage and accused him of undermining established party positions. He also criticised Yusuf’s public attack on former defence secretary Sir Ben Wallace, whom Yusuf had described as a traitor to Britain. The dispute contributed to a wider argument about the tone and discipline of Reform’s political messaging. <Cite refs={[“turn324133search9”]}/>
The disagreement raises a broader question about the balance between strong individual personalities and collective responsibility. Senior politicians need enough freedom to explain policy and respond to opponents, but they also need to understand how their statements affect the wider organisation.
If several senior figures deliver conflicting messages, voters may struggle to determine what the party actually intends to do. Conversely, excessive central control can make a party appear dependent on a single leader and discourage other politicians from developing their own expertise.
Farage has built Reform around a distinctive personal brand. That arrangement has helped the party establish a recognisable identity, but it also means that disputes involving senior colleagues can quickly become questions about his leadership.
Farage Has Publicly Committed to the Next Election
Despite speculation, there is no confirmed announcement that Farage intends to step down as Reform UK leader before the next general election.
At the party’s September conference, Farage reaffirmed his determination to lead Reform to victory at the next election. He also indicated that he was thinking about his political future, prompting further discussion about how long he would remain in frontline politics. <Cite refs={[“turn324133search1″,”turn324133search12”]}/>
The distinction between publicly expressing determination and making a permanent commitment is important. Political leaders often discuss the pressures of their positions without necessarily preparing to resign. Likewise, a former ally’s prediction does not establish that a leadership transition is imminent.
Nevertheless, questions about Farage’s future have persisted throughout 2026. His political responsibilities, public profile and the demands of leading a growing party have prompted speculation about whether he would want to continue indefinitely.
A report by The Guardian in September described strong support for Farage among Reform members but also noted that some people close to the party believed he might not remain until the next election. The report cited family, security and financial considerations as possible factors, while stressing that any departure would likely be on Farage’s own terms. <Cite refs={[“turn324133search1”]}/>
For now, Farage remains the party’s leader. The question is whether he will continue in that role through the next national campaign and what circumstances, if any, could change that decision.
Financial Scrutiny Adds to the Pressure
Leadership speculation has developed alongside scrutiny of Farage’s financial affairs. In 2026, questions emerged about a £5 million gift from cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne, received before Farage entered Parliament. The gift and other financial matters prompted examination by the parliamentary standards authorities. Farage has disputed accusations of wrongdoing and defended his position. <Cite refs={[“turn324133news16″,”turn324133news15”]}/>
The controversy has created a political challenge because Reform has positioned itself as an alternative to established parties. Any questions about transparency or the handling of donations therefore carry implications beyond the individuals involved.
For Farage’s supporters, the scrutiny may be viewed as an attempt by political opponents and the media to undermine a party challenging the established order. Critics, meanwhile, argue that a prominent politician must answer reasonable questions about financial declarations and comply with parliamentary rules.
The outcome of any investigation must be determined by the relevant authorities rather than by political rhetoric. Until findings are established, allegations should not be treated as proven misconduct.
Even so, prolonged controversy can consume political attention. Instead of focusing exclusively on policy proposals, Reform may find itself repeatedly defending its leadership and explaining internal decisions.
This presents a challenge for a party attempting to demonstrate that it can manage the responsibilities of government. Voters may want to know not only what Reform proposes to change, but also how it would organise its administration, maintain standards and resolve disputes within its ranks.
Reform’s Polling Position and Organisational Challenges
The debate over Farage’s future also comes amid changes in the party’s polling position. In September, Sky News election analyst Professor Rob Ford reported that Reform’s average polling share had declined from the low thirties in August 2025 to the mid-twenties in August 2026. His analysis suggested that the decline had developed over several months rather than being attributable to one isolated event. <Cite refs={[“turn324133search14”]}/>
Polling figures are snapshots of public opinion, not predictions of a guaranteed election result. They can change as parties announce policies, leaders face scrutiny and voters reassess their preferences. Nevertheless, sustained changes in polling can influence the internal atmosphere of a political organisation.
When support is rising, disagreements may be easier to contain because party members can point to apparent progress. When momentum becomes less certain, questions about strategy, messaging and leadership can become more prominent.
Reform also faces competition from other political movements, including Restore Britain, associated with former Reform MP Rupert Lowe. Relations between Farage and Lowe have been strained, although Farage previously indicated that he was open to discussing possible cooperation. <Cite refs={[“turn324133news6″,”turn324133news15”]}/>
Such competition creates an additional organisational challenge. Reform must decide how to retain its existing supporters, appeal to people who have not previously voted for it and distinguish its policies from those of other parties seeking similar voters.
The party’s ability to resolve disagreements and communicate a consistent programme will therefore remain important, regardless of who ultimately leads it.
Who Could Replace Farage?
If Farage were eventually to leave the leadership, Reform would face the difficult task of identifying a successor capable of maintaining the party’s identity while managing its growing responsibilities.
Richard Tice, the deputy leader, has extensive experience within Reform and previously led the organisation before Farage returned to frontline politics in 2024. His supporters could argue that his familiarity with the party’s structure would help maintain continuity.
Yusuf is another prominent figure. His role in immigration policy and his public profile have made him influential within the party, although his disagreements with Montgomerie demonstrate that his approach does not appeal to everyone associated with Reform.
Robert Jenrick, who defected from the Conservatives, is also an important figure in the party’s senior team. However, his background in the Conservative Party may complicate efforts to appeal to Reform supporters who want a clear break from established political institutions.
A September report on Reform’s membership found that Yusuf and Tice were the two most frequently named choices when members were asked whom they would prefer as a future leader. Jenrick received considerably less support in that survey. These findings reflect the preferences of the members surveyed at that time; they do not establish who would win a future leadership contest. <Cite refs={[“turn324133search1”]}/>
Any succession process would involve more than personal popularity. A future leader would need to maintain relationships with MPs, candidates, donors, local representatives and party members. They would also need to demonstrate that Reform could operate as a collective organisation rather than relying entirely on Farage’s public presence.
Can Reform Remain United?
The question of succession is particularly significant because Farage has played such a central role in Reform’s development. His political profile has helped the party attract media attention, recruit supporters and establish itself as a force in debates over immigration, Brexit and national identity.
However, a party that depends heavily on one individual can face difficulties when questions arise about that person’s future. It must balance continuity with the need to develop policies, personnel and organisational structures that can operate independently of its founder or most recognisable leader.
Montgomerie’s departure has drawn attention to disagreements over how Reform should be managed. Yet one former supporter leaving the party does not, by itself, demonstrate that the organisation is on the verge of collapse. Political parties regularly experience defections, disputes and changes in personnel.
The more important issue is whether Reform’s leadership can establish clear procedures for decision-making and ensure that senior figures understand their responsibilities. If disagreements continue to become public confrontations, they may distract from the party’s policy agenda. If those disagreements are handled internally and constructively, the party may be better placed to present a coherent programme to voters.
The Final Decision Remains Farage’s
The suggestion that Nigel Farage may not lead Reform UK into the next general election has added another dimension to the party’s internal debate. Tim Montgomerie’s criticism of Zia Yusuf has raised questions about discipline, authority and the ambitions of senior figures, while financial scrutiny and changes in polling have contributed to wider uncertainty.
But speculation must be separated from established fact. Farage has publicly stated that he intends to lead Reform into the next election, and no confirmed announcement has established that he will leave beforehand. His former ally’s comments are an indication of disagreement within the party, not proof of an impending leadership change.
The coming months will test Reform’s ability to manage its internal relationships while continuing to develop its political programme. Its senior figures will need to demonstrate that they can disagree without allowing personal disputes to overwhelm the organisation.
For now, the central question is not simply who might replace Farage. It is whether Reform can build a structure capable of handling the pressures of national politics while maintaining the support of the people who have helped it grow.
Farage remains at the centre of that challenge. Whether he leads the party into the next general election will ultimately depend on his own decision and the political circumstances that develop before the campaign begins.