Aside from Yusuf, Reform’s engine room features a crew of young male advisers who are instrumental in building Farage’s social media image.
Last year Yusuf replaced the Ukip veteran Paul Oakden as Reform chair and set about removing old hands, including Gawain Towler, the party’s communications chief who had been removed and reinstated at least twice before.
Insiders say that after the 2024 election, Farage delegated almost all operational control of the party to Yusuf, who had emerged as a donor months before.
Yusuf, Reform’s 38-year-old chair, is said to be there “all the time” and Farage also has a desk.
“This is a 1789 or 1917 moment,” says a new Reform donor who claims to be one of many former Tories now battering down Farage’s door to give money.
