Newslinks for Friday 6th June 2025

Reform’s internal implosion

Zia Yusuf has resigned as chairman of Reform UK after a row about banning burkas ignited a new civil war in the party. Mr Yusuf gave party leader Nigel Farage just 10 minutes warning before announcing on X: “I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time, and hereby resign the office.” The decision – announced hours before the polls closed in a crucial by-election – came after Mr Yusuf, who is a Muslim, said that a call by two Reform MPs for the burka to be banned was “dumb”. But Mr Farage suggested there was more to the decision, saying Mr Yusuf had indicated he wanted to quit before the row blew up in public.” – Daily Telegraph

• Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf quits party – The Times
• Nigel Farage reveals private chat with Zia Yusuf day before resignation – ‘had enough’ – Daily Express
• ‘Zia took a swing and swung too hard’: the rows that split Reform – The Times

Comment:

• I spoke to Reform hours before Zia Yusuf’s departure – this is the real reason he quit – Christian Calgie, Daily Express
• Reform’s non-stop psychodrama threatens to drive voters away – Tony Diver, Daily Telegraph
• Now Nigel Farage needs some Five Star thinking – Patrick Maguire, The Times
• It seemed as though nothing could stop the Reform juggernaut, but Yusuf may have done it – Sherelle Jacobs, Daily Telegraph
• Women should not be veiling their faces in Western society – Suella Braverman, Daily Telegraph
• Keir Starmer’s contempt for female Reform MP over burka ban is more fitting than he knows – Sam Lister, Daily Express

> Today: The Tories should be wary of Zia Yusuf’s Reform departure

Tories try tackling the ECHR

“Tory leader Kemi Badenoch will all-but vow to pull Britain out of the European Convention on Human Rights to fix the country’s immigration system. She will say she is “increasingly of the view we will need to leave” the treaty to impose strict migrant caps and shut down bogus asylum claims. The ECHR was a major flashpoint in last year’s Tory leadership race, with her then-rival Robert Jenrick openly calling for Britain to quit the treaty. Until now, Ms Badenoch had stopped short of backing a full exit, suggesting the UK would “probably” have to withdraw if blocked from doing “what is right”. But in a major hardening of her stance, the Tory chief will accuse Strasbourg judges of “inventing new rights” and “directly overruling popular mandates”. In a speech today, she will insist the UK must be free to control its borders, deport foreign criminals and put British citizens first – without being blocked by overseas courts.” – The Sun

• How does the ECHR work and what would reform mean? – The Times
• I don’t want to leave ECHR, said peer reviewing Tory support for convention – Daily Telegraph
• ECHR ‘must adapt to face growing backlash against migration’ – The Times
• In charts: can Kemi Badenoch hold on to Tory voters? – Financial Times

Comment:

• European Convention on Human Rights lets illegal migration flourish – The Times View

> Yesterday: Conservatives need to unlearn the slow-and-steady habits of government

Tolga Inanc: Tories talking about immigration is like the Lib Dems talking about student loans

Scottish Labour succeeds in Hamilton by-election

“Labour has won a sensational victory in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election in a major boost to Sir Keir Starmer after a shock collapse in the SNP vote. Davy Russell, a candidate who was widely mocked during an ill-tempered campaign, emerged victorious in a narrow three-way race in which Reform also came within fewer than 1,500 votes of taking its first ever Holyrood seat. Labour were 11/1 outsiders to claim victory with the SNP 1/10 odds-on favourites when polls opened, after an ill-tempered campaign. John Swinney, the SNP first minister, had repeatedly dismissed Labour’s chances and insisted the contest was between his party and Reform.” – The Times

• Labour relief at Hamilton by-election win – but alarm bells over Reform’s rise – The i
• Scottish Labour takes out top spot in Hamilton by-election and snatches crucial seat – while humiliating SNP – Daily Mail
• Labour pulls off shock by-election win in Hamilton – Daily Telegraph

Comment:

• Relief for now – but Reform are breathing down Starmer’s neck – Tom Harris, Daily Telegraph
• Findlay and Sarwar miss open goal, even when playing on home turf – Alex Massie, The Times
• Scottish Labour wins Hamilton in spite of Starmer – Lucy Dunn, The Spectator

Trump vs Musk

“President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s relationship has publicly crashed and burned as the two former allies exchanged blows on social media on Thursday. The feud erupted after Trump addressed Musk’s criticism of the president’s “big beautiful bill” in the Oval Office. But it dramatically escalated when the Tesla mogul called for the president’s impeachment and made unfounded allegations about Trump’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The feud started three days ago, when Musk began fuming over the president’s signature spending legislation that’s currently making its way through Congress. It came to a head when the president was quizzed about the bill in the Oval Office on Thursday, prompting Musk to reply in real time on X. Musk’s furious responses snowballed into a barrage of attacks on the president, culminating with the X owner suggesting Trump should be impeached and replaced by Vice President JD Vance in another post.” – The Sun

• Trump urged to immediately SEIZE Space X from Musk after fallen ‘First Buddy’ threatened to leave NASA astronauts stranded in space – Daily Mail
• Elon Musk calls for Trump to be impeached in escalating feud – The Times
• Trump ally Steve Bannon calls for Elon Musk to be DEPORTED – ‘check his visa!’ – Daily Express
• Tesla share plunge amid Trump feud wipes $152bn off Elon Musk’s company – The Guardian
• Musk claims Trump is named in Epstein files as row escalates – The i
• What we know about Trump’s links to Jeffrey Epstein – The Times

Comment:

• The Trump-Musk bandwagon was always going to crash, but it’s done so with impressive violence – Michael Lind, Daily Telegraph
• The Trump-Musk implosion is finally here – grab the popcorn – James Ball, The i

News in brief:

• The battle for Poland isn’t over – Michal Kranz, Unherd
• Lord Hermer’s friends and enemies – Jake Scott, The Critic
• Gerry Adams does not deserve a penny in damages – Owen Polley, CapX
• ​​Labour’s muddled message – George Eaton, The New Statesman
• Reform’s burqa ban isn’t ‘Islamophobic’ – Kunwar Khuldune Shahid, The Spectator