Tim Montgomerie has quit Reform UK after being suspended from the party, delivering a fresh blow to Nigel Farage’s leadership and urging him to “get a grip”. The former Conservative adviser said he would remain a Reform supporter but warned the party was now at a critical crossroads. Montgomerie refuses to return quietly Montgomerie defected from the Conservatives 18 months ago but was suspended last month after publicly criticising senior Reform figures. Following talks with party chair Lee Anderson, he said he was wanted back — but only if he returned “meekly”. “I wasn't prepared to do that,” he told the BBC. Montgomerie said he had no intention of returning to the Conservatives, but argued Reform must become “more like Reform and less like the AfD”. Farage told to take control His resignation comes amid mounting scrutiny of Reform’s direction after demonstrations against migrants in Dover and Portsmouth linked to Tommy Robinson. Montgomerie said Farage had been effective at preventing Robinson from joining the party, but now needed to impose stronger discipline. “Nigel needs to get a grip, he needs to lead the party,” he said, also calling for Reform figures including Zia Yusuf to be brought “under control”. Montgomerie has previously criticised Farage’s “aggrieved” tone and accused Yusuf of not being a “team player”. Reform suspended him, saying the decision was made in line with party rules. A party facing a defining choice Montgomerie said he felt “very sad” and “battered” by the split, warning that Reform had reached a junction after failing to replace the Conservatives as planned. His central question was stark: does Reform want to become a party of government, or remain on the political fringes and simply change the national debate? Reform’s response was brief. A spokesman said: “We wish Tim the best for the future and thank him for his support.” https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9dw051g53go
