Johnson UK's most damaging PM, says Reform UK chief

Reform UK Chairman Zia Yusuf stated that history will judge Boris Johnson as one of the most destructive prime ministers in British history. Yusuf made these remarks on the BBC's "Political Thinking" podcast, making it clear that Johnson would not be welcome to join Reform UK. His strong statement underscores the deep divide between the two parties.

Yusuf criticized Johnson's performance during his premiership from 2019 to 2022 on issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, immigration, and public spending. He argued that Johnson's policies "didn't have a whiff of conservatism" and called the ruling Conservative Party an "extremely left-wing party." The BBC has contacted Johnson's spokesperson for comment, indicating the seriousness of the accusations.

In an interview with BBC journalist Nick Robinson, Yusuf stated that Reform UK's support rate has surpassed both the Conservative and Labour parties for the first time, reaching 24%, while the Conservatives stand at 21%. He also predicted that if an election were held tomorrow, Reform UK would win 140 to 200 seats in the House of Commons, according to polls. Furthermore, he claimed that Reform UK could win as many as 400 seats in the next general election, although there is currently no polling data to support this claim, making it an ambitious goal.

Yusuf revealed that Reform UK currently has nearly 200,000 members, far exceeding the Conservative Party's published membership numbers. He also mentioned that Johnson had lunch with Nick Candy, a major Reform UK fundraiser, in late January of this year. Nevertheless, Yusuf made it clear that he does not want the former prime minister to join Reform UK, reiterating that Johnson's governance damaged the UK, reinforcing the party's stance.

Yusuf expressed admiration for former Home Secretary Suella Braverman and stated that she would be welcome to join Reform UK. He revealed that he had met with Braverman multiple times, believing that she was "driven out" and "ostracized" by the Conservative Party, despite her visionary stance on immigration issues. In addition, Yusuf shared his personal background, emphasizing his identity as a "proud British Muslim patriot" and stating that his faith is very important to him, highlighting the party's diverse appeal.

Yusuf became the chairman of Reform UK shortly after last year's general election, having previously been a member of the Conservative Party and donating £200,000 to the party. As party chairman, his task is to professionalize the party, attract donors, and expand Reform UK's supporter base. He stated that Reform UK only has 24 employees, adding that "people don't fully understand what's been achieved in such a short space of time," showcasing the party's rapid growth.

Kemi Badenoch has denied that her first major policy announcement as a potential Conservative Party leader was a response to the rise of Reform UK. She dismissed the party's surge in opinion polls and insisted that her party is focused on "thinking" about policies that can improve people's lives. The Labour Party is also increasingly targeting Reform UK, with Sir Keir Starmer criticizing Farage's stance on NHS funding during Prime Minister's Questions this week, signaling the growing threat posed by Reform UK.