Politics is always about real ideas and policies, but it can also simply be just about personal animosities and feuds. The trick is to know the difference. The Trump-Musk feud dominates news coverage worldwide. There’s plenty of froth but underneath there are also serious questions about the direction of the Trump administration’s economic and tariff policies.
In Britain, too, there are signs of huge political changes under way along with froth-filled personal animosities and rivalries. Nigel Farage, in his latest incarnation as leader of the Reform party, has seriously undermined support for the Conservative party.
Mr Farage boasts of being the real opposition to the Labour government. But as with US President Donald Trump, his political history is full of personality clashes and internal rows. The latest came when Reform party chairman Zia Yusuf suddenly quit last week raising further questions about the Farage leadership style.
Mr Yusuf is a successful businessman, a British Muslim of Sri Lankan heritage and a significant cash donor to Reform. He recently claimed the party could win 400 MPs and make Nigel Farage prime minister. Well, possibly. But Mr Yusuf then suddenly announced: “I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time, and hereby resign” as party chairman.
Splits, internal feuds and unpleasant battles with donors and others have for years dogged Mr Farage’s many political reincarnations. British news organisations list rows and breaks with once prominent party names including Godfrey Bloom, Suzanne Evans, Ben Habib, Douglas Carswell, Diane James, Patrick O'Flynn and more recently Rupert Lowe and then Zia Yusuf. Rupert Lowe is still an MP but quit Reform and is in parliament as an independent. Zia Yusuf quit as chairman but then two days later is suddenly back in a new role. He blamed overwork and exhaustion for the temporary split, but that’s only part of the Reform party story.
Splits, internal feuds and unpleasant battles with donors and others have for years doggedFarage’s many political reincarnations
Mr Farage has considerable personal charisma. He is a media favourite. One of the BBC’s most popular political programmes, Question Time, has featured Mr Farage an estimated 38 times causing opponents to criticise the BBC for pandering to populism. And now Mr Farage claims – and some fear – a significant Reform breakthrough.
The party did well in recent English local elections. The opinion polls are looking good. Reform won an English by-election giving the party their fifth MP, Sarah Pochin. A former Conservative government adviser, Dominic Cummings, recently (perhaps mischievously) suggests Mr Farage could become prime minister at the next election. Anything is possible, but that would require Reform to add more than 320 new MPs to the current five, and a general election may not happen for four years.
Yet, beyond the boasts, Mr Yusuf’s resignation and surprising return is very revealing. He is one of the most prominent Muslim figures in British political life in a party that has very few notable Muslim members. Mr Farage has often built his appeal on opposing migration and trumpeting supposedly “traditional patriotic” white Christian and working class “British” values.
Significantly Mr Yusuf resigned after the first parliamentary question by Ms Pochin, the new Reform MP. She asked British Prime Minister Keir Starmer if he would “in the interests of public safety - follow the lead of France, Denmark, Belgium and others, and ban the burqa?”
Even discussing a burqa ban is not high on the political agenda of most current MPs or the government, but the question was in the true Farage insurgent mould. It’s potentially a very divisive issue affecting a tiny minority of Britain’s very diverse Muslim communities.
To some commentators, Ms Pochin’s burqa question therefore sounded like an attempt to exploit cultural divisions, a headline-grabbing example of the old Farage style, potentially creating problems for the new Farage image. Mr Starmer ignored the question and instead made a political joke at Ms Pochin’s expense.
The Reform party later insisted that banning the burqa is not even their own party policy - so why raise the question? Critics often see the burqa question as “dog whistle” politics, trying to exploit potential divisions for political gain.
Mr Yusuf’s resignation followed immediately after the question was asked. He bluntly pointed out that banning the burqa is not even Reform party policy, and so "I do think it's dumb for a party to ask the Prime Minister if they would do something the party itself wouldn't do.” Dumb, yes. Divisive, certainly. Damaging? Undoubtedly. And now reversed.
Mr Yusuf is back in a slightly different role and it is clear that Mr Farage is trying to widen support beyond England. He undoubtedly recognises that the burqa row may energise a few existing Reform voters but probably turns off many potential converts to the party.
Either way, Reform picked up a good showing (it came third) in a Scottish parliament election last week. Mr Farage is now campaigning hard in Wales. His previous political parties made headlines, attracted protest voters and were full of internal rows and divisions. He needs to change and widen his appeal. There is froth but Mr Farage is also very serious now about seeking power. Keeping Mr Yusuf in the party proves it.
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership
UAE Premiership
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes
UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II
UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
More coverage from the Future Forum
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The Written World: How Literature Shaped History
Martin Puchner
Granta
UFC Fight Night 2
1am – Early prelims
2am – Prelims
4am-7am – Main card
7:30am-9am – press cons
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Januzaj's club record
Manchester United 50 appearances, 5 goals
Borussia Dortmund (loan) 6 appearances, 0 goals
Sunderland (loan) 25 appearances, 0 goals
Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 race, 12:30pm
Formula 1 final practice, 2pm
Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm
Formula 2 race, 6:40pm
Performance: Sam Smith
more from Janine di Giovanni
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If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Funchal via Lisbon, with a connecting flight with Air Portugal. Economy class returns cost from Dh3,845 return including taxes.
The trip
The WalkMe app can be downloaded from the usual sources. If you don’t fancy doing the trip yourself, then Explore offers an eight-day levada trails tour from Dh3,050, not including flights.
The hotel
There isn’t another hotel anywhere in Madeira that matches the history and luxury of the Belmond Reid's Palace in Funchal. Doubles from Dh1,400 per night including taxes.
Company Profile
Founders: Tamara Hachem and Yazid Erman
Based: Dubai
Launched: September 2019
Sector: health technology
Stage: seed
Investors: Oman Technology Fund, angel investor and grants from Sharjah's Sheraa and Ma'an Abu Dhabi
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
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'Cheb%20Khaled'
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
HAJJAN
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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