Chancellor Reeves launches stinging attack on Reform over NHS and Putin as party promises to win next general election
Nigel Farage has appointed former TV presenter Dr David Bull as the new chairman of Reform UK, replacing Zia Yusuf who dramatically quit and returned within 48 hours to lead the party’s new cost-cutting unit.
Dr Bull, who served as deputy leader from 2021 to 2023 and is currently a TalkTV presenter, was unveiled at a Westminster press conference where he boldly declared: “We are going to fight and we are going to win the next general election.”
The appointment comes after a turbulent few days that saw former chairman Zia Yusuf resign last Thursday following controversy over a burqa ban question at a public event, only to reverse his decision 48 hours later.
Speaking at the press conference, Mr Yusuf said that he is “hugely excited” that Dr Bull was taking the role, adding: “I wholeheartedly congratulate him and I know he’s going to do an incredible job for us.”
FARAGE’S ‘TERRIFIC’ CHOICE
The Reform UK leader heaped praise on his new chairman, saying Dr Bull would bring “terrific verve, energy, enthusiasm” to the role, adding with characteristic flair: “It’s going to be great fun.
Dr Bull’s primary mission will be to provide “leadership to a volunteer army” as the party gears up for the 2025 local elections and beyond, with Reform currently polling neck-and-neck with the Conservatives.
The 56-year-old former doctor is a popular figure among Reform members, having first joined Farage’s political movement when he became an MEP for the Brexit Party in 2019.
A former co-deputy leader of Reform UK, Dr Bull has spent considerable time supporting members and helping build the party infrastructure – making him an ideal choice to unite the party after recent turbulence.
YUSUF’S NEW MISSION
In a surprising twist, Zia Yusuf will now head up Reform’s new Department of Government Efficiency – dubbed “UK DOGE” after Elon Musk’s similar initiative in the United States.
Two days later on 7 June 2025, Yusuf reversed his resignation following discussions with party leader Nigel Farage. He acknowledged that stepping down had been a hasty decision made in frustration.
The 38-year-old millionaire businessman admitted his resignation “was a decision born of exhaustion” and was a “mistake,” but will now focus on identifying billions in potential public spending cuts.
Mr Farage has said he has forgiven Mr Yusuf for his decision to quit as chairman, but admitted the party was “plunged” into a “difficult place” by the incident.
REEVES’ BLISTERING ATTACK
The leadership shake-up comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves launched a withering assault on Reform UK, accusing them of being allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a stinging rebuke, Reeves declared: “While Labour is investing in our NHS, Nigel Farage and Reform want to privatise our NHS.
She added: “And while Labour is investing in security for our nation and for our allies, Nigel Farage and Reform are not on the side of the heroic people of Ukraine, they are on Russia’s side instead.
“That is Reform. Tough on workers, tough on patients but soft on Putin,” the Chancellor concluded in remarks that signal Labour’s strategy to paint Reform as a threat to British values.
NHS BATTLEGROUND
Labour has intensified its attacks on Reform’s healthcare stance, with Farage recently telling LBC he was “open to anything” when it comes to replacing Britain’s NHS with an insurance-based model.
The Clacton MP suggested the French healthcare system could be a model for Britain, appearing to back a move “where you pay in to effectively an insurance scheme.
Labour claims that under Reform UK, a GP visit could cost £129, an MRI scan £457, and coronary bypass surgery £71,997 – figures Reform dismisses as “Labour lies.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting warned: “With Reform, our NHS would be reduced to a poor service for poor people, with working people forced to pay to go private.
PUTIN CONTROVERSY
The Putin accusations stem from Farage’s controversial comments in 2024 when he suggested the West had “provoked” Russia’s invasion of Ukraine through EU and NATO expansion.
Though Farage has since condemned Russia’s invasion, Labour continues to use his past statements as ammunition, with defence spokesman John Healey branding him a “Putin apologist.
The remarks drew immediate condemnation across the political spectrum, with then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak accusing Farage of “appeasement that put Britain and its allies’ security at risk.
BURQA BAN DRAMA
The leadership changes follow last week’s dramatic events when Yusuf resigned after intervening in a public Q&A about burqa bans, telling the questioner to “shut up.
In a subsequent interview with The Sunday Times Yusuf said his intervention on Pochin’s question had been an “error” and that if he were a Reform MP he would “probably” vote in favour of banning the burqa.
According to Nigel Farage, the reason Yusuf had initially quit was due to racist abuse he had received online, which the party leader described as “unlike I think anybody in modern politics has ever had to put up with.
REFORM’S MOMENTUM
Despite the internal turbulence, Reform UK continues to build momentum, having topped a national YouGov poll for the first time in February 2025.
The party won five MPs at the 2024 general election and has since gained control of several councils, with Farage’s return as leader sparking a sharp increase in support.
Reform is positioning itself as the real opposition to Labour, with early results from May’s elections showing wins including a parliamentary by-election and two mayoralties.
DOCTOR’S ORDERS
Dr Bull brings an impressive media pedigree to the role, having presented shows including “Most Haunted Live!” and various health programmes during his television career.
The former doctor, and former deputy chair of the party, is a popular figure among members and first joined Nigel Farage’s team when he became an MEP for the Brexit Party in 2019.
He has run unsuccessfully several times as a candidate for the London Assembly and Suffolk West, but remains a key figure in Reform’s media strategy through his TalkTV show.
As Reform UK prepares for the local elections with a new leadership team, all eyes will be on whether Dr Bull can steady the ship and build on the party’s recent momentum.
With Labour already sharpening its attacks and the Conservatives struggling in the polls, the stage is set for a fierce political battle with Reform UK positioning itself as the insurgent force in British politics.
