Reform UK’s chairman Zia Yusuf has set out how Nigel Farage can become Prime Minister as he warned “cynics” of the 2016 Brexit campaign to brace themselves for a rude awakening.
Yusuf, 38, who made a hefty donation to Reform UK ahead of the General Election, delivered a major speech at the end of the populist party's annual conference at the NEC in Birmingham.
The entrepreneur, who joined Reform UK as a donor ahead of the 2024 General Election, is currently setting out measures to democratise and professionalise the populist party.
Speaking on stage today, Yusuf said: “By 2029, Reform UK will be ready to be the party of Government and a Prime Minister Farage will embark on the most ambitious and bold reforms this country has seen in our lifetimes.
Zia Yusuf delivered a major speech at the end of the populist party's annual conference at the NEC in Birmingham
GB NEWS“Now we have been told by the sceptics that we cannot achieve this.
“The same cynics said we could never escape the vice-like grip of the European Union.
“They said we could never win any parliamentary seats.
“Nigel Farage has already proven those doubters wrong in the way that only he can… The indomitable spirit of the British people will prevail.”
Yusuf’s comments came shortly before Farage lauded his efforts to modernise Reform UK
REUTERSHe added: “Our great country has seen darker times than this. Each time proud patriots like the ones in this room have emerged at its time of need.
“Each time Britain has emerged stronger than ever.
“Inspired by Nigel Farage’s example, we will never bow to the mob… This is a battle for the soul of this nation and we will not yield.”
Yusuf’s comments came shortly before Farage lauded his efforts to modernise Reform UK.
Nigel Farage at the NEC in BirminghamREUTERSReform UK has established more than 260 local branches and set out a new constitution which includes provisions to democratically remove Farage as leader.
However, Farage was keen to argue that Reform UK’s inability to win more than five seats stemmed from its “amateur” nature.
“At that stage of our development, we weren’t big enough, wealthy enough, professional enough to vet general election candidates properly, and that amateurism let us down,” he said.
“We could have won a lot more votes and there are lessons we need to learn from that. So as I stood in the count in Clacton in those early hours, I said yes of course I would represent the constituency, the constituents in Parliament.
“But I had a job, and my job was to professionalise and to democratise Reform UK. That was the honest and solemn promise that I made to you, the members.”