Richard Tice has told warring factions inside Reform UK to air their differences behind closed doors. As the party's civil war showed no sign of abating, its deputy leader hit out following criticism of Nigel Farage and Zia Yusuf.
Mr Tice insisted Reform is a “fast-growing party” and sometimes there will be differing views. But he said they should be made “behind closed-doors” not in the media.
Tice's call for unity
His remarks come after Tim Montgomerie, a well-known political commentator in Westminster, was booted out this week after branding home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf “a child” during a podcast.
Speaking at a press conference in Enfield, where he was making an announcement on apprenticeships, Mr Tice said: “We're a fast-growing political party. There'll be a range of views, and sometimes we'll agree, and sometimes we'll have a debate and discussion.”
Mr Tice added: “That's what you do in business. That's what you do in a boardroom. That's what you do when you're brainstorming. But what we've always said is that actually, when you are when you're having your discussions about those things, in the nicest possible way, as you would in a boardroom or in a brainstorming session in a company, you keep it behind closed doors, and then you go out and sell a great message.”
Montgomerie's suspension and Yusuf controversy
Mr Montgomerie rebuked Mr Yusuf for “intemperate” use of social media, and warned: “A lot of people are on not-speaking terms with Zia, and it's nearly always Zia who initiates it. It needs to end.”
The former editor of the Conservative Home website, who served as an adviser to Boris Johnson in Downing Street, was swiftly suspended by Reform, sparking fresh claims of civil war. Mr Montgomerie suggested that Mr Farage knew nothing of his sudden fall from grace.
Mr Yusuf has proved to be one of the most controversial Reform politicians since he joined as its largest donor in the run-up to the 2024 general election. Last week, he caused fury after branding former defence secretary and ex-soldier Ben Wallace a “traitor to Britain”, just weeks after accusing other parties of endangering Reform politicians by using inflammatory language.
Internal party divisions
Mr Yusuf quit as Reform chairman in June 2025 in a row over a call for burkas to be banned. But he was coaxed back by Mr Farage and put in charge of party policy.
Reform sources suggested last night that the row between Mr Yusuf and Mr Montgomerie reflected a debate about how it should fight the next election. Mr Yusuf is popular among hardline members, but internally others worry he will put off voters in Middle England whom Mr Farage will need to get into No10.
