The Leader of Reform UK (formerly the Brexit Party) is the highest position in Reform UK. The current holder is Nigel Farage, who became leader on 3 June 2024, previously having served in the position from 2019 to 2021.
| Leader of Reform UK | |
|---|---|
| Style | Leader |
| First holder | Catherine Blaiklock |
| Website | https://nfarage.com/ |
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The office was first held by Catherine Blaiklock from 20 January to 20 March of 2019. She resigned as leader when it was disclosed that she had made anti-Islamic and racist statements online.[1] Blaiklock would leave the party in July 2019 and later joined the English Democrats in 2021.[2]
On 22 March 2019 the current leader Nigel Farage took over, two days after Blaiklock's resignation.[3] Farage held the position until his retirement as a politician on 6 March 2019.[4] Following Farage's resignation his party chairman, Richard Tice, became leader.[5][6] Tice remained as leader until 3 June 2024 when he relinquished the position back to Farage who had announced his intention to stand as a candidate for MP in Clacton at the upcoming general election.[6] Tice would later become deputy leader in July 2024. Farage led the party into the general election which saw the party win 5 seats in the House of Commons one of which was Farage in Clacton.[7]
The longest serving leader of the party was Richard Tice having served 3 years and 90 days. The shortest serving was Catherine Blaiklock who was leader for 60 days.
The Chairman of Reform UK is currently Zia Yusuf who entered the role on 11 July 2024.
Leadership
edit| No. | Leader | Portrait | Took office | Left office | Tenure length | Deputy Leader(s) | Chair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catherine Blaiklock (Brexit Party) |
20 January 2019 | 20 March 2019 | 60 Days | Vacant | Richard Tice (2019–2024)
Zia Yusuf (2024–incumbent) | |
| 2 | Nigel Farage | _(cropped).jpg)
|
22 March 2019 | 6 March 2021 | 1 year, 350 days | ||
| 3 | Richard Tice | _(cropped).jpg)
|
6 March 2021 | 3 June 2024 | 3 years and 90 days | David Bull (2021–2024)
Ben Habib (2023–2024) Richard Tice (2024–incumbent) | |
| (2) | Nigel Farage |
|
3 June 2024 | Incumbent | Incumbent |
References
edit- ^ Walker, Peter (20 March 2019). "Leader of Nigel Farage's party resigns over anti-Islam messages". The Guardian.
- ^ "Catherine Blaiklock for Great Yarmouth in the UK Parliamentary general election". whocanivotefor.co.uk.
- ^ "Nigel Farage says he will take over as leader of Brexit Party". iNews. 22 March 2019.
- ^ Walker, Peter (7 March 2021). "Nigel Farage quits as Reform UK leader in step back from party politics". The Guardian.
- ^ "Who is Reform UK leader Richard Tice?". BBC News. 8 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Nigel Farage to Run for Parliament as Reform UK Leader". politicshome.com. 3 June 2024.
- ^ "Nigel Farage vows to change politics for ever after first election win". BBC News.