With election buzz heating up, Reform UK is facing some growing pains—and Nigel Farage is stepping up to do damage control.
Amid fresh questions over party donations and a noticeable dip in membership, the party leader is making leadership changes and defending the party’s direction in a way only Farage can.
A New Chairman Steps In to Calm the Waters
Farage confirmed today that Dr. David Bull, a former TV doctor and medical professional, is officially replacing Zia Yusuf as chairman of Reform UK.
The announcement lines up with a previous exclusive report by the Mail. According to Farage, Dr. Bull will bring “terrific verve, energy, and enthusiasm” to the role at a moment when Reform badly needs a boost.
Zia Yusuf, the outgoing chairman, stirred controversy last week after he publicly criticized a Reform MP’s Commons question about banning the burka, calling it “dumb.”
He briefly quit the party but reversed course just two days later.
Though he’s out as chairman, he’s still around—now overseeing the party’s initiative to tackle wasteful spending in local councils.
The Money Question: Reform Trails Big Parties in Donations
The Electoral Commission released new numbers today that shine a light on Reform’s financial picture.
From January to March 2025, the party received £1.48 million in donations.
That might sound decent—until you compare it to the £3.36 million the Conservatives brought in or the £2.35 million scooped up by Labour during the same time.
Over £600,000 of Reform’s total came from deputy leader Richard Tice, who also serves as the MP for Boston and Skegness.
Another £250,000 was donated by Fiona Cottrell, the mother of Farage’s close ally George Cottrell, who is widely believed to have an informal but influential hand in the party.
Farage Shrugs Off Fundraising Concerns
At a press conference in Westminster, Farage didn’t shy away from questions about the donation figures.
He acknowledged that Reform’s donations are still trailing behind the Tories and Labour—but stressed that they’ve gone up significantly compared to previous quarters.
He also revealed that party treasurer Nick Candy plans to donate another two-thirds of a million pounds over the coming months, after already giving £313,000.
Farage didn’t resist a swipe at the political establishment, joking: “Is it easy to raise big money in politics? No, because I haven’t got any peerages to give—oh sorry! That’s how it’s worked for decades.”
He criticized what he called a “corrupted” honours system, suggesting Reform plays by different, cleaner rules.
Party Membership Takes a Hit—But Farage Stays Optimistic
There’s been another hiccup: a noticeable drop in party membership.
Reform’s own online tracker, which appears during major speeches, showed that party membership dipped from 237,091 to 233,680 in just one week—a loss of 3,411 members.
When asked about it, party sources brushed it off as “normal churn.”
They pointed out that the party has still grown its base dramatically in the past year, gaining over 200,000 members.
Many of those who recently dropped off, they say, simply had one-year memberships that didn’t auto-renew—and those numbers are expected to rebound as renewals get processed.
Farage was quick to highlight that most of the party’s financial support comes not from major donors, but from regular people across the UK paying £25 or £50 to join.
Reform’s Next Chapter: Rebuilding Momentum
Despite all the noise—funding questions, leadership reshuffles, and a dip in support—Farage seems convinced that Reform UK is on the upswing.
Dr. Bull’s appointment is part of a larger effort to reset the party’s direction ahead of the general election.
Whether this energy translates to lasting support remains to be seen, but for now, Reform’s leader is staying defiant and focused.
As the party moves forward, the pressure will be on to keep members engaged, money flowing, and headlines on message.