Ben Habib, Reform UK’s former co-leader, has launched a scathing attack on the party’s new constitution – vehemently rejecting Nigel Farage’s suggestion that it provides members with a means for replacing him as leader.
Mr Farage, elected MP for Clacton on July 4, yesterday said he was “relinquishing” control of Reform UK as he gives up his majority shareholder position in Reform UK Ltd, which unlike most other political parties is a registered company.
The constitution has been drawn up by recently installed chairman Zia Yusuf, who, in an email to members, said: “As our leader Nigel Farage has promised, this constitution democratises our party. It empowers you, our members, to have your say on both a local and national level.
“This constitution is one we can be proud of, one fit to be the constitution of the party of the next government of the United Kingdom.”
However, Mr Habib, who is still a member, told Express.co.uk he was far from convinced.
Ben Habib and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. (Image: GETTY)
He explained: “There are two things which are of great concern.
“First, and this cannot be underestimated, is the fact the chairman claimed on national television that the ‘finest legal minds were working day and night’ to draft a constitution.
“What emerged was a rehash of a document I rejected in February 2023. Changes made were not significant in number, badly drafted and increased the democratic deficit. This document had not had any serious legal scrutiny.”
Mr Habib, who also voiced his doubts in a video shared on X, added: “Second and this too cannot be underestimated, the document is a mess and does not create checks and balances on the leadership.
Zia Yusuf is Reform UK’s chairman. (Image: Getty)
“Nor does it give members a genuine democratic voice or the ability to remove the leader.
“The leader is protected by a handful of people, the board, who are mostly appointed by him. They can reject any plea by members to remove him.”
Mr Habib, a former Brexit Party MEP who stood unsuccessfully as the Reform candidate for Wellingborough at the general election, was previously critical of the party for its perceived lack of democracy after he was replaced as deputy leader in favour of Richard Tice.
He continued: “Saying one thing and doing another is what we have come to expect from the Tories and Labour.
Reform UK deputy leader and MP for Boston and Skegness Richard Tice. (Image: Getty Images)
“Reform must tell the truth and deliver on the promise it makes. The people of this country have had enough of political garbage.
“I could have drafted, without any legal advice, a better and more coherent document.”
“For any and every organisation to be a success, its leaders must be held to account. If there are no checks and balances and no way to remove them, they will certainly fail.”
Mr Farage himself outlined his vision for the future in a clip also shared on X yesterday.
He commented: “Reform UK has come of age. I am giving up control of the party to its members.”
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Nigel Farage mocks Keir Starmer with hilarious glasses joke that leaves people in stitches
Nigel Farage shows off his new glasses at Reform UK’s annual conference (Image: Reform UK)
Nigel Farage showed off his new spectacles during his Reform UK party conference speech in a joke at Sir Keir Starmer’s expense that left his audience in stitches.
The Prime Minister has been under fire for accepting thousands of pounds of clothing from businessman Lord Waheed Alli so he could look the part as the nation’s leader.
The Register of Members’ Financial Interests showed that as well as the £16,200 donation of “work clothing”, Lord Alli also gave Sir Keir “multiple pairs of glasses” valued at £2,485 in total.
The gifts have been widely criticised, with columnist Jill Kirby saying on this week’s BBC Question Time: “Keir Starmer does not need to have his clothes bought for him – he should have gone to Specsavers like everyone else.”
Mr Farage followed up the criticism during his Reform conference speech on Friday, putting on a new pair of glasses and asking the audience: “Do you like them?”
Amid howls of laughter, he said the spectacles were “very expensive” but added: “Guess what, I bought them myself. How about that?”
The PM has also received £40,000 of free tickets to football matches from a variety of donors since December 2019.
After being given a corporate seat at Arsenal for watching games this season, he said that “security advice means I can’t go to the stands”.
The PM is now facing a standards investigation after failing to declare more than £5,000 of high-end items for his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer.
During his speech at Birmingham’s NEC, Mr Farage told Reform members the “sky is the limit” after the party’s General Election triumph this year.
He said the election of five Reform UK MPs – including himself in Clacton – shows disenchantment with the main political parties has “never been greater”.
The party leader even told supporters how he could become prime minister by 2029.
