David Bull named new chairman of Reform UK

TalkTV host David Bull has been named as Reform UK’s new chairman, replacing Zia Yusuf who quit last week after clashing with colleagues over calls for a burka ban.

A long-time ally of party leader Nigel Farage, 56-year-old Bull has held several roles in Reform and its predecessor the Brexit Party, but is best known for his work as a broadcaster.

The appointment of a polished media performer contrasts with multi-millionaire businessman Yusuf, a 38-year-old political newcomer who largely worked behind the scenes as chairman to professionalise the party.

Speaking at an event in London, Farage said Bull’s job was “not to get involved in the admin” but to “give leadership” to activists.

Rather than appointing a direct successor, Reform UK is splitting Yusuf’s role into multiple posts including a new head of operations and head of treasury – with new further leadership changes in the coming weeks after.

Farage said Bull’s role would be to “inspire” the party’s base and “give leadership to that volunteer army out there”.

Bull said he was “deeply honoured” to be asked to serve as chairman.

He said Reform’s rapid growth in recent months had led to the party “failing” to “look after the volunteer side of the party”.

Bull told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Matt Chorley “part of my role will be to go around and make sure that I can actually keep morale high”.

He also said he would act as a “conduit back to the professional party” addressing concerns raised by activists.

In a speech announcing his new role, Bull paid tribute to Yusuf, who he said “has done an extraordinary job” and “professionalised the party beyond belief”.

To take up the role, Bull has stood down from his role as a TalkTV weekend breakfast presenter.

Yusuf resigned suddenly as party chairman on Thursday, shortly after saying it was “dumb” for new Reform MP Sarah Pochin to call on the prime minister to ban the burka – a garment traditionally worn by some Muslim women that covers the face and body.

Pochin has since defended her comments, telling BBC Politics Live that burkas are a “barrier to cultural integration” and make it hard for police to identify people.

Following the row, Yusuf said working for a Reform UK government was not “a good use of my time”.

However, two days later he appeared to have a change of heart and said he would continue working for the party, albeit in a different role.

Yusuf told the BBC he regretted his social media post about Pochin and that “exhaustion led to a poor decision”.

He will now lead what the party calls its “Doge team”, which is modelled on the Department of Government Efficiency set up by US President Donald Trump and aims to cut “wasteful” spending in councils the Reform now controls.

Farage, who credited Yusuf with building Reform’s infrastructure, insisted the party was “stronger” for the reshuffle.

Farage said he “forgave” Yusuf, who he claimed had been “exhausted” and “lost his rag” under pressure.

Since returning to the party, Yusuf has said he is probably in favour of banning face coverings in public, not just the burka.

Bull has backed calls to outlaw the burka, and said he would make it party policy “if I have any say in it”, linking the garment to “a lack of integration in the West”.

Bull, who qualified as a medical doctor in 1993, began his career as an NHS doctor but no longer practices medicine.

Instead, he transitioned into a career as a television presenter, including fronting BBC shows Newsround and Watchdog, and reality TV show Most Haunted Live!

Bull then entered politics, joining the Conservatives in the early 2000s under David Cameron, but rose to prominence as a Brexit Party MEP for North West England in 2019.

He played a key role in the Brexit Party’s transformation into Reform UK, holding positions as deputy leader in 2021.

Responding to the announcement, a Labour spokesperson said: “While the faces change at the top of Reform UK, the commitment to end the NHS as we know it stays the same.

“David Bull has parroted Nigel Farage’s plan for an insurance-based healthcare model which would leave working people paying thousands for routine healthcare treatment.”

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper called Bull’s appointment part of the “conveyor belt of Trump sycophants appointed by Nigel Farage”.

“Reform is more interested in advancing Donald Trump’s agenda over here, not standing up for the communities that they are supposed to represent,” she added.