Commentator Tim Montgomerie has resigned from the Reform party, citing internal divisions and warning leader Nigel Farage to take control of the party's direction. Montgomerie, whose membership was suspended last month after he publicly criticized party figures, stated he would not appeal the suspension and has instead chosen to resign.
Montgomerie expressed a desire to continue supporting Reform but stressed that Farage must address issues within the party, including foreign donation investigations, declining poll numbers, and perceived leadership challenges. He specifically called on Farage to manage home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf, whom Montgomerie accused of harboring leadership ambitions.
"Nigel needs to get a grip, he needs to lead the party," Montgomerie told the BBC. "But for the sake of his legacy and the sake of decency he needs to sort it out, and bring people like Zia under control."
This departure comes amid controversy surrounding anti-migrant demonstrations. Farage and deputy Richard Tice condemned protests by the Patriot Platform, with Tice labeling participants as "thugs" engaged in "militia style intimidation." However, Yusuf, who attended a protest in Portsmouth, criticized Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for using similar language, stating, "The Tories sneer at voters from their ivory tower."
Montgomerie, a former Conservative member and editor of the Conservative Home website, suggested that Reform needed to differentiate itself from far-right parties like Germany's Alternative for Deutschland. "I want to still be a supporter, but that requires them being more like Reform and less like the AfD," he said.
Farage himself has called for a ban on full face coverings in public, labeling them a "menace" after masked protesters appeared at recent demonstrations. He indicated a ban would include those worn for religious reasons.
Montgomerie's earlier criticisms of senior Reform figures, including Farage, led to his membership suspension. He had previously commented on X about Farage's "aggrieved tone" regarding financial questions and his absence from the Clacton by-election count. Montgomerie had also publicly stated on a podcast that Yusuf "cannot behave like a child in politics," and suggested that Farage should recognize Yusuf's potential leadership aspirations.
Last week, Yusuf shared a video detailing his background as the son of medical workers who immigrated to Britain in the 1980s. Montgomerie responded to this by saying, "The sooner [Mr. Farage] realises this man is running to replace him as leader, the better."