Few political exits have sparked as much curiosity as Ben Habib’s departure from Reform UK in late 2024. This profile examines his rapid trajectory from co-deputy leader to party founder, the feud with Nigel Farage, and what’s verifiable about his personal wealth and background — and what remains unclear.

Full name: Benyamin Naeem Habib · Date of birth: 7 June 1965 · Former role: Co-deputy leader of Reform UK (2023–2024) · Political affiliation: Reform UK (until 2024); Advance UK (current) · Net worth (estimated): Multi-millionaire (property investment)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Leads Advance UK, a new challenger party (Advance UK (official party site))
  • Aligned with Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain pressure group (Evening Standard (London daily newspaper))

Eight key facts trace Habib’s background from early life to his current political role.

Full name Benyamin Naeem Habib
Born 7 June 1965, London, England
Nationality British
Political party Advance UK (current); Reform UK (until 2024); The Brexit Party (2019)
Spouse Nicole (married; details not widely publicized)
Children 3
Religion Christian (evangelical)
Education Natural Sciences at Cambridge University (per party site); not independently confirmed

Why has Ben Habib left Reform?

Ben Habib served as co-deputy leader of Reform UK from October 2023 until July 2024, when Richard Tice took over the role after the general election (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)). But the real rupture came months later.

Why did Ben Habib resign as co-deputy leader?

Habib publicly announced on 28 November 2024 that he was severing ties with Reform UK entirely (Evening Standard (London daily newspaper)). The move followed months of tension with party leader Nigel Farage. Politics.co.uk reported that Habib officially quit on that date (Politics.co.uk (UK political news site)).

What was the dispute with Nigel Farage?

Habib later told the Daily Express that he left after a row involving Farage and party treasurer Zia Yusuf (Daily Express (UK tabloid)). He accused Farage of “stealing” the Reform brand and being too close to the establishment. In June 2025, Habib called Reform UK a “circus” during the Zia Yusuf controversy (LBC (UK talk radio)). Byline Times later reported that Habib had been removed as co-deputy leader before quitting in November 2024 (Byline Times (investigative outlet)).

The rupture

Habib’s departure wasn’t a quiet exit — he framed it as a fight for the soul of the party, accusing Farage of abandoning the anti-establishment edge that originally defined Reform UK.

The pattern: Habib’s break with Farage was not a policy disagreement alone — it was a battle over the direction of the party, with Habib representing the uncompromising wing.

What were Ben Habib’s comments about Nigel Farage?

Did Ben Habib accuse Nigel Farage of being too moderate?

Habib repeatedly criticised Farage for not being sufficiently tough on immigration. He argued that Farage’s leadership had softened the party’s original stance (Evening Standard (London daily newspaper)).

What did Habib say about Farage’s stance on Ukraine?

A specific flashpoint was Farage’s comments on Ukraine, which Habib saw as too conciliatory. The dispute over foreign policy deepened the rift between the two men (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).

Farage, for his part, dismissed Habib’s criticism. In January 2025 he told LBC that Habib would be “none whatsoever” of a loss to Reform UK (LBC (UK talk radio)).

What this means

The public feud reveals a deeper ideological split: Habib represents the most uncompromising anti-immigration wing, while Farage has tried to broaden Reform’s appeal. For voters, the question is which faction will define the party’s future.

What this means: The feud has crystallised the ideological split within Reform UK, forcing voters to choose between the hardline anti-immigration stance and a broader appeal.

Is Ben Habib wealthy?

What is Ben Habib’s net worth?

Habib is estimated to be a multi-millionaire, with a net worth thought to fall between £10 million and £20 million, but no independently verified figure exists (Politics.co.uk (UK political news site)).

How did Ben Habib make his money?

He founded First Property Group plc, a property investment firm, and continues to serve as its chief executive (Advance UK (official party site)). The company’s public filings show he built substantial wealth through property deals.

What ethnicity is Ben Habib?

Is Ben Habib Christian? What is his religion?

Habib was born to a Pakistani father and an English mother, according to his official campaign site (BenHabibUK.com (Habib’s official site)). He was raised in Karachi, Pakistan, and moved to the UK at age 13. He identifies as an evangelical Christian. Earlier reports indicated Persian Jewish heritage, but Habib’s current public profile describes his Christian faith. He studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge University, where he earned a Boxing Blue (Advance UK (official party site)).

Does Ben Habib have a wife?

Who is Ben Habib’s wife?

Habib is married to Nicole. The couple have three children. Details of a previous marriage or ex-wife have not been publicly confirmed (BenHabibUK.com (Habib’s official site)).

Has Ben Habib joined Restore Britain?

What is Restore Britain?

Restore Britain is a pressure group led by former Conservative MP Rupert Lowe. It campaigns for smaller government, lower taxes, and tighter immigration controls.

Is Ben Habib working with Rupert Lowe?

Habib has spoken at Restore Britain events and is politically aligned with Lowe, but he has not formally joined the group. Instead, he launched his own vehicle — Advance UK — on 30 June 2025 (Politics.co.uk (UK political news site)). He leads Advance UK while maintaining a strategic alliance with Restore Britain.

How old is Ben Habib?

Habib was born on 7 June 1965, making him 59 years old as of 2025 (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)).

Timeline of key events

  • 7 June 1965: Born in London, England (Advance UK (official party site))
  • 2019: Elected MEP for The Brexit Party (Battle of Ideas (speaker directory))
  • 2023: Appointed co-deputy leader of Reform UK (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia))
  • October 2024: Resigned as co-deputy leader (Byline Times (investigative outlet))
  • 28 November 2024: Left Reform UK completely (Evening Standard (London daily newspaper))
  • 30 June 2025: Launched Advance UK (Politics.co.uk (UK political news site))

Key quotes

“I quit Reform UK after a row involving Nigel Farage and Zia Yusuf.”

— Ben Habib, speaking to the Daily Express (Daily Express (UK tabloid))

“He will be none whatsoever of a loss.”

— Nigel Farage, on Ben Habib’s departure, to LBC (LBC (UK talk radio))

“Reform UK has become a circus.”

— Ben Habib, on the Zia Yusuf controversy, to LBC (LBC (UK talk radio))

Habib’s break from Reform UK may ultimately benefit neither camp. For Farage, the loss of a vocal anti-immigration figure could alienate the party’s most hardline supporters. For Habib, leading a new party from scratch against a well-funded rival means fighting for every percentage point — and every media mention.

Frequently asked questions

What is Ben Habib’s current political role?

He is the leader of Advance UK, a party he launched on 30 June 2025.

Why did Ben Habib change his name?

Habib uses his full name Benyamin Naeem Habib in official contexts; “Ben Habib” is his public-facing name. No legal name change is publicly documented.

Did Ben Habib serve as an MEP?

Yes, he was elected as an MEP for The Brexit Party in 2019.

What is Advance UK party?

It is a new political party launched by Habib in June 2025, positioned to the right of Reform UK.

Is Ben Habib related to the former government minister?

No, he is not related to any former UK government minister.

What are Ben Habib’s views on immigration?

He advocates for a highly restrictive immigration system and has criticised both Labour and Conservative approaches.

Does Ben Habib have a Twitter account?

Yes, he is active on X (formerly Twitter) under the handle @BenHabibUK.

What is Ben Habib’s educational background?

According to his party profile, he studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge University and earned a Boxing Blue. This has not been independently verified outside his campaign materials.