Dr. David Bull, the former chairman of Reform UK, has publicly advised party leader Nigel Farage to step away from politics for a period, citing the intense pressures of leading a major political movement.
Speaking on Channel 5, Bull stated that Farage needs "time out" and "a bit of a break" from what he described as the "ruthless business" of politics. Bull, who served as the party's chairman until May, also asserted that Reform UK is "way bigger than Nigel," indicating his belief in the party's capacity to thrive independently of its current leader. He noted his personal involvement since the party's inception and expressed pride in its professionalization efforts.
Bull's tenure as chairman, which lasted just under a year, reportedly took a significant toll on his health. He stated on air that the role "nearly killed me off" due to the demanding nature of campaigning and engaging with the party's growing membership, which he helped increase from 90,000 to 268,000. He described extensive travel across the country to meet supporters in various venues, characterizing his year on the road as "really hard work."
The former chairman's remarks come after Reform UK experienced a setback in the Makerfield by-election, where the party's performance fell short of expectations, with Andy Burnham securing a significant victory. An insider described the outcome as the party "blew it" in a seat that was considered a strong prospect for Reform.
Bull also commented on the political landscape, referencing the emergence of "Restore Britain" as a potential rival on the right of British politics. He acknowledged the challenges involved in building a political party, noting the significant time, effort, and people required.
Previously, Bull's support for Farage had been questioned, with reports emerging in 2014 of him calling comments made by Farage, then leader of UKIP, about migrants with HIV as "ill-judged, prejudiced and dangerous."
Reports suggest that Farage has already begun to reduce his weekend commitments to concentrate on leading Reform UK during the week.