Reform UK, the political party led by Nigel Farage, has long positioned itself as a voice for the people, championing grassroots democracy and challenging the political establishment. However, a closer look at its structure reveals a starkly different reality. Despite Farage’s claims of handing over the party to its 200,000 members, Reform UK appears to be controlled by a not-for-profit company with just two members: Farage himself and Zia Yusuf, the party chair. This raises serious questions about the party’s democratic credentials and the extent of Farage’s grip on power.
A Party of Two, Not 200,000
Last year, Farage announced plans to “democratise” Reform UK after facing criticism for its structure as a private company majority-controlled by the leader, rather than a members’ association like other political parties. However, the party’s new structure suggests little has changed.
Reform UK is now owned by a not-for-profit company, Reform 2025, which has just two members and two directors: Farage and Yusuf. This company replaces the previous limited company, which was also majority-controlled by Farage, with stakes held by Yusuf, deputy leader Richard Tice, and party secretary Mehrtash A’zami. According to Companies House filings, the new structure has no person in overall control, but Farage and Yusuf are listed as guarantors, meaning they control the company and make key decisions.
Despite Farage’s declaration that the party’s 200,000 members are now in control, the reality is that power remains concentrated in the hands of a select few. Yusuf has stated that the party is “non-profit, with no shareholders, limited by guarantee,” and that a governing board is being assembled in line with the constitution. However, critics argue that this structure does little to empower ordinary members.
A Leader Almost Impossible to Remove
Reform UK’s new 17-page constitution, submitted to the Electoral Commission, outlines a fixed five-year term for the party leader and a mechanism for members to remove the leader through a vote of no confidence. However, the requirements for such a vote are so stringent that they are virtually impossible to achieve.
To trigger a vote of no confidence, half of all members would need to write to the chair requesting one. Alternatively, half of the party’s MPs could request a vote, but this rule only applies if the party has at least 100 MPs. Currently, Reform UK has just five MPs, one of whom is Farage himself. This means that, in practice, Farage’s position as leader is almost unassailable.
Ben Habib, the former deputy leader of Reform UK, who quit over concerns about the lack of democracy for members, has been highly critical of the new constitution. He said: “The constitution does not, in my view, give the ability for members to remove the leadership. Even when they have ownership of the party by the members, the constitution is still suboptimal – to put it mildly.”
Farage’s Control Over the Board
Farage’s influence extends beyond his role as leader. Under the new constitution, the leader has significant control over the party’s governing board. Farage is able to choose three people to sit on the board, in addition to the party chair, while another three are chosen by party members. This means that, even if members were able to elect their own representatives, Farage’s appointees would still hold considerable sway over the party’s direction.
A Democratic Facade?
Reform UK’s claims of being a member-led party appear to be at odds with its internal structure. While Farage and Yusuf have framed the new not-for-profit model as a step towards professionalising the party, critics argue that it entrenches the leader’s power and sidelines ordinary members. Does this ring any bells from history?
The party’s rhetoric of democratisation and grassroots empowerment seems to be little more than a facade. With just two members controlling the not-for-profit company that owns Reform UK, and a constitution that makes it nearly impossible to remove the leader, the party’s structure raises serious questions about its commitment to democratic principles.
As Reform UK prepares for future elections, its internal dynamics may come under increasing scrutiny. For now, it seems that Nigel Farage’s quest for power remains firmly on track – with little room for dissent.
