Tim Montgomerie quits Reform following suspension

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.

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."

"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.

Among the AfD's policies is a highly controversial plan for "remigration", which is widely understood to mean mass deportations of migrants.

"But for the sake of his legacy and the sake of decency he needs to sort it out, and bring people like Zia [Yusuf] under control."

At the time, Reform said he had been suspended "in line with party rules" after public criticism of the party.

In a video statement on X after news of his suspension emerged on the Guido Fawkes website, Montgomerie said he still believed in Reform's policies and its membership, and he was only trying to make the party "better and stronger" with his public criticisms.

"Reform is at a junction: They haven't replaced the Conservatives which was plan A. I fear a battle of attrition between the two parties which will helps no one. The real danger now on the fight for political turf is that they go after sectional interests.

A Reform UK spokesman said: "We wish Tim the best for the future and thank him for his support."

Reform suspends Tory defector after criticism of senior figuresPublished18 August

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