Farage and Habib Clash Over Leadership Dynamics in Reform UK

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has publicly admonished his former co-deputy leader Ben Habib, expressing that Habib has become overly self-important. The disagreement stems from contrasting views on the party's governance; Habib has aligned himself with tech mogul Elon Musk’s sentiments that a fresh leader is necessary, arguing that under Farage's leadership, the structure is undemocratic and lacking in checks and balances. Habib indicated that unless reforms are implemented, the party will remain synonymous solely with Farage.

In response, Farage remarked that he did not have any involvement in Habib's promotion to co-deputy leader alongside David Bull in 2023. He emphasized that he preferred Richard Tice for the deputy role, which Habib opposed, leading to ongoing tensions. Meanwhile, Habib has countered Farage's remarks by expressing amusement, reiterating that the party's governance lacks democratic processes and suggesting that even a future constitution would be biased towards Farage.

Additionally, Farage's recent exchanges with Musk have added to the controversy, particularly after Farage distanced the party from Tommy Robinson, leading to Musk's apparent withdrawal of support. Despite these tensions, Farage expressed admiration for Musk and seemed optimistic about resolving any discord, highlighting the potential impact of Musk’s influence on attracting younger supporters to the party. He recognized the need to maintain principles, indicating that prioritizing values over the association with controversial figures would ultimately benefit the party's long-term prospects.