Commentator Tim Montgomerie quits Reform following suspension
Political commentator Tim Montgomerie has resigned from Reform UK after being suspended for criticizing senior party figures. He urged leader Nigel Farage to exert more control over the party to prevent it from drifting toward far-right extremism.
Why it matters
The resignation highlights internal tensions within the UK's Reform party as it attempts to balance its populist appeal with mainstream political viability.
Image caption, Tim Montgomerie defected to Reform in 2024
Conservative Party defector and political commentator Tim Montgomerie has told the BBC he has resigned from Reform UK, urging Nigel Farage to "get a grip" of the party.
Montgomerie defected from the Tories 18 months ago but was suspended from Reform UK last month after he criticised senior figures.
His decision to resign came after a conversation with Reform's party chair Lee Anderson on Tuesday. "I think they wanted me back in the party but meekly," he told the BBC. "And I wasn't prepared to do that."
Montgomerie said he still plans to support Reform and has no intention of re-joining the Conservatives.
"I want to still be a supporter, but that requires them being more like Reform and less like the AfD [Germany's right-wing Alternative for Deutschland]", he said.
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