Reform UK spokesperson for Home Affairs Zia Yusuf speaks during a press conference on migration policy on April 20, 2026 in the Westminster area of London, England.Zia Yusuf has been called out after describing Tory and Labour politicians as “traitors” in a provocative social media post.
The Reform spokesperson for home affairs wrote on X: “Recent events demonstrate why I view the Tory and Labour politicians who created the burning injustice of modern Britain as traitors to their country.
“A reckoning is coming.”
It’s not entirely clear if he is referring to any particular “burning injustice”.
Social media quickly responded by slapping down his claim and slamming his controversial remarks.
Many people also questioned his attack on the Conservatives, considering Reform have accepted more than two dozen former Tory MPs into their ranks in recent years.
I didn’t vote for either of the winners of the last two General Elections but “traitors” for whom a “reckoning is coming”? Really? This very excitable, angry & hyperbolic man should be nowhere near a position of responsibility in a political party that aspires to power. https://t.co/KuqG8EN2ZD
— David Gauke (@DavidGauke) May 29, 2026If Reform take power, they will build an authoritarian state.
We can't say we weren't warned! https://t.co/dSvITjypbA
I reckon you need to stop calling people traitors.
— Dr. Bendor Grosvenor 🇺🇦 (@arthistorynews) May 30, 2026This is fascist talk https://t.co/5XJlIKVoUK
— David Aaronovitch (@DAaronovitch) May 30, 2026Traitors??? Reckoning???
The American MAGA far right bullshit bought to your doorstep. https://t.co/QUjkW1DPET
Calling them traitors is great for X engagement, but it's hard to take the "reckoning" seriously when half your party's leadership consists of recycled Tories. You're not tearing down the political class; you're just giving them a new badge.
— The Honest Lens (@Narrative_Fix) May 29, 2026You sound a bit fascisty, Zia.
— Matthew Stadlen (@MatthewStadlen) May 30, 2026Tory politicians like Jenrick, Braverman, Zahawi, Dorries, Kruger, Rosindell, Anderson, Jones, Jenkyns and Berry? Why are you collaborating with traitors Zia? Did Nigel ask nicely?
— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) May 30, 2026Imagine entering public life for your contribution to it to be this poison that puts your colleagues in actual danger? https://t.co/pwAObkbemp
— Jade Azim (@JadeFrancesAzim) May 30, 2026It's posts like these that convince me Reform won't win the next GE. Not outright anyway.
For every true believer that Zia rallies with posts like this he hardens two against them. You need broad appeal to win a GE. All he's doing is creating tactical voters. https://t.co/IEUw6C809n
Yusuf has previously criticised the “ally and cosy” relationship between rival parties.
The right-wing politician wrote on X in January that it was “sickening”, adding: “They laugh at how ill-informed they think voters are, catch up like all friends, then go on panels and pretend to oppose each other.”
Yusuf’s latest controversial post comes as the party faces heightened scrutiny ahead of the Makerfield by-election on June 18.
Reform’s candidate Robert Kenyon has been accused of sexism after his historic social media posts resurfaced.
HuffPost UK also discovered Kenyon previously praised the New Labour government, saying “god knows where I would have ended up”.
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