By GB News (World News) | Created at 2025-01-07 14:01:22 | Updated at 2025-01-08 13:34:32
23 hours ago
Reform UK Chairman Zia Yusuf has hailed Elon Musk as "the greatest entrepreneur of all time by some distance", despite the tech billionaire's recent criticism of party leader Nigel Farage.
Speaking to GB News, Yusuf expressed his gratitude for Musk and "everything that he does for humanity".
However, the Reform UK chairman maintained that "one doesn't have to agree with every political position" taken by someone they admire.
Musk recently took to his owned social media platform X to suggest that Farage "doesn't have what it takes" to lead Reform, despite their close relationship.
Zia Yusuf has praised Elon Musk despite his calls for Nigel Farage to step down as Reform UK leader
Reuters / GB News
In response to the remarks, Farage has vowed to reconcile with Musk during Donald Trump's upcoming presidential inauguration in the United States.
"I have no desire to go to war with Elon Musk and I'm not going to, and I haven't done. I'm a huge admirer of him, I think he's an heroic figure," Farage stated.
Yusuf emphasised that his opinion and the party's opinion of Musk remains "unchanged," noting that "like any relationship, things can go up and down".
In a robust defence of Farage's leadership, Yusuf highlighted the Reform UK leader's significant political impact over three decades.
He added: "People know what Nigel stands for in terms of how tough he is. Nobody has done more to eliminate the far-right in this country than Nigel, with regards to the BNP [British National Party] and the EDL [English Defence League]."
Yusuf outlined Reform UK's vision for leadership, saying: "We believe we need political leaders who are strong enough and courageous enough to put the interests of the British people first."
He emphasised the party's focus remains on its core values: "We stand for the values of community, a family and of community and country."
Despite recent controversies, Reform UK continues to see strong membership growth, according to Yusuf.
Yusuf told GB News that the British people 'got a clear answer' with Nigel Farage in Reform UK's intentions for Britain
GB News
"We've been adding thousands of new members every single day," he told GB News.
The party has also held two sold-out conferences with "only a few weeks notice," demonstrating what Yusuf described as "incredible energy and huge positive momentum."
The Reform UK chairman praised Farage's principled stance, contrasting it with typical political behaviour.
"You only really know if somebody has principles when they're tested," Yusuf said, adding that the British people had received "a clear answer" regarding Farage's commitment to his principles.
