Reform UK Chairman Calls New MP’s Burqa Ban Question ‘Dumb’ Amid Internal Rift

Reform UK is experiencing internal conflict after newly elected MP Sarah Pochin called for a ban on the burqa during Prime Minister's Questions, a stance not shared by the party. Pochin's question, which referenced similar bans in European countries like France and Denmark, was met with disapproval in Parliament and refusal by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to engage. Party chairman Zia Yusuf publicly criticized the question as "dumb," emphasizing that banning the burqa is not Reform UK's official policy and expressing surprise that Pochin raised the issue. Despite Yusuf's position, other party members including MP Lee Anderson and leader Nigel Farage expressed support for debating the ban, with Anderson backing the prohibition on social media and Farage calling for a public debate on face coverings. This division highlights ongoing tensions within Reform UK, following prior disputes involving other MPs, and reflects differing views on cultural and security issues within the party. The controversy also drew wider attention with some commentators characterizing the burqa as linked to a patriarchal ideology, further intensifying the debate.