Ben Habib

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Ben Habib
Ben Habib Dec 2025.jpg
Habib speaking in Manchester, 2025
Leader of Advance UK
Incumbent
Assumed office
30 June 2025

Benyamin Naeem Habib (born 7 June 1965) is a British-Pakistani businessman and right-wing [1] politician who has been the leader of Advance UK since its foundation in June 2025. He is also the CEO of First Property Group, a commercial property investment company. [2]

Contents

Previously, Habib was Deputy Leader of Reform UK from October 2023 to July 2024. [3] Habib was replaced by Richard Tice following the 2024 general election. [4] Habib was a member of the European Parliament (MEP) for London from July 2019 until the UK left the European Union in January 2020. Prior to this, he had donated to the Conservative Party. [5] [6]

Early life

Benyamin Naeem Habib was born in Karachi on 7 June 1965 to a Pakistani father and an English mother. [7] [8] His maternal grandfather fought at the Battle of the Somme; his paternal grandfather was born on a farm in Punjab. [9]

He moved to England with his parents in 1979 and attended Rugby School, a boarding school in Warwickshire. [5] [10] He later became Head Boy and president of the Rugbeian Society. [11]

He studied natural sciences at Robinson College, Cambridge, from 1984 [12] where he was awarded a Boxing Blue. [13]

Business career

After graduating at university, Habib became an analyst at the corporate finance department at the Lehman Brothers in 1987. [14] [15] In 1989, he was appointed as the finance director of the insurance broker PWS Holdings. [16] [15]

In 1994 Habib entered the properties business as the managing director of the private property development company JKL Property.

In 2000, he founded a commercial property fund investment company, First Property Group plc. [16] The company, where he serves as chief executive officer, operates in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Romania. [17] [18] In 2024, Habib ordered a share issue worth £3m after the firm reported a pre-tax loss of £4.41m. [19]

In July 2025, the Financial Times reported that Habib had purchased £80,000 worth of shares, increasing his holding in the company to nearly 17 per cent. [20]

Political career

Euroscepticism

Habib was a Conservative Party voter and donor until 2019. [5] [6] He supported Brexit in the 2016 EU membership referendum, arguing that the UK would benefit from trade opportunities, regained sovereignty, and control over immigration. [14] [21] He supported a No-deal Brexit which reportedly would have been favourable to his business. [22] [23]

During the 2019 European parliament elections, Habib ran as the first of six candidates for the Brexit Party in the London constituency, and was elected as one of its two MEPs in London. [24] [25] Habib sat with the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, was delegated for relations with the countries of South Asia. [26]

According to Transparency International, Habib was the wealthiest MEP in the Ninth European Parliament based annual earnings from his other job. He declared €960,000 annual earnings from his company, First Property Group. [27]

In January 2020 Habib voted in favour of the Brexit withdrawal agreement, which included the Northern Ireland Protocol, which was ratified by the EU Parliament. [28]

In February 2020 Habib described the Protocol as being a unique advantage to Northern Ireland, as it could create a tiger economy. He also urged Unionists to 'make it work for its own great benefit and that of the United Kingdom'. [29] [30]

In February 2021, Habib, together with TUV party leader Jim Allister, and Baroness Hoey, applied for a judicial review of the Northern Ireland Protocol. They were later joined in their litigation by Arlene Foster, the incumbent First Minister of Northern Ireland; David Trimble, the inaugural First Minister; and Steve Aiken, leader of the UUP. [31] The main cause of their legal action was to scrutinise the legality and constitutionality of the Protocol, with regard to their claim that it, and related regulations were incompatibile with the Acts of Union 1800. [32]

In June 2021, the High Court of Northern Ireland (HCNI) in Belfast dismissed the legal challenge on several grounds, including its conflict with the Acts of Union 1800 and thus unconstitutional. [32] [33] The HCNI ruled that although the Protocol conflicted with the Acts of Union the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 also has constitutional effect and had implicitly repealed aspects of the Acts. [34] The court also rejected arguments based on the Northern Ireland Act, the European Convention on Human Rights and EU law. Likewise, the court rejected a challenge to the Regulations, which provided that the consent mechanism in the Protocol was not to be subject to the cross-community voting rules in the Assembly. [35] On 14 March 2022, that decision was affirmed by the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal, with the judgment making reference to the 'obvious inconsistency' of Habib first voting in favour of the Withdrawal Agreement and Northern Ireland Protocol, as stated in paragraph 11 of his sworn affidavit, but then subsequently calling for a repudiation. [36] [37]

On 30 November 2022, it was appealed to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. [38] On 8 February 2023, the Supreme Court dismissed the challenge. [39] [40] [41] On 21 March 2023, Northern Ireland Office minister Lord Caine (responding to a written question by Kate Hoey) asserted that the UK Government had spent £196,567 on legal fees associated with defending the challenges against the Northern Ireland Protocol. [42] [43]

Reform UK

In October 2023 he was appointed a co-deputy leader of Reform UK, alongside David Bull, who had been deputy since 2021. [44] [45] At the same time he became the party's Brexit and the Union spokesman. He was the party's candidate for the Wellingborough by-election in February 2024. Habib finished third of eleven candidates, with 13% of the vote, the party's best result at a by-election. [46] [47] He was the Reform candidate for Wellingborough and Rushden constituency at the 2024 general election where he came third with 21.5% of the vote. [48]

In April 2024, Habib faced criticism over remarks he made during an interview with Julia Hartley-Brewer on Talk TV, where he suggested that migrants crossing the English Channel by boat should be left to drown. [49] Habib defended his comments, as he was asked about migrants that slashed their boats, causing them to sink. Habib stated: 'If people are going to repeatedly throw themselves in the channel and refuse the help of our specialised force in order to get back in the boats and go on to France – of course their lives are going to be in danger.' [50]

Critcism of Reform UK

In July 2024 Habib was removed as the deputy leader of Reform UK and replaced by Richard Tice. [51] He then criticised the new constitution as 'undemocratic'. [52]

Habib quit Reform UK on 28 November 2024, after a reported fallout with Nigel Farage and Zia Yusuf. He cited concerns over the party's structure as well as 'fundamental differences' over Brexit, and disagreements over immigration, with Habib in favour of mass repatriations. [53]

In March 2025, Habib called Reform MP Rupert Lowe's suspension 'an injustice'. Habib accused Farage and Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf of 'trumping up complaints against' Lowe to oust him after Elon Musk suggested Lowe should become Leader of Reform UK instead of Farage. Habib called for both men's resignations. [54] [55]

Advance UK

In April 2025, Ben Habib announced he would be taking over the Integrity Party, which had been created by Christian Russell and Richard J. Shaw in 2024. [56] Habib stated that he intended to make sure the party was properly set up and organised before applying to the Electoral Commission for registration. [57]

On 30 June 2025, Habib announced that he had launched a political party, Advance UK. He aims to reach 30,000 members. [58] The party has the same legal identity as the Integrity Party, with the limited company previously named as the Integrity Party having been renamed as the Advance UK Party Limited. [59] [ better source needed ]

Personal life

Habib is a baptized but non-practising Christian. Habib was baptized in preparation for his marriage to his Christian wife. Habib describes himself as being brought up with a "soft Christian upbringing" and has stated in interviews that he has "never been a Muslim" despite his Pakistani heritage. [60]

References

  1. ↑ "Ben Habib rapped over 'move to Republic' jibe at leading Your Party member after Irish unity comment". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 4 December 2025. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  2. ↑ "INTEGRITY PARTY overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  3. ↑ "Reform UK Departmental Team Responsibilities". Reform UK. March 2023. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  4. ↑ Habib, Ben [@benhabib6] (11 July 2024). "I have just been informed by Nigel Farage that Richard Tice is taking over as deputy leader of the party. Consequently I no longer hold that position. I am considering my position more generally in light of this change. I have long held concerns about the control of the party and the decision making processes. I will reflect on all of this. The key for me is that Reform UK stays true to the promises made to the British people. The movement we have created does not belong to us, it belongs to the people. We are obliged and indebted to the British people" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. 1 2 3 Lea, Robert (17 June 2019). "Off to Brussels with a Brexit message". The Times . Archived from the original on 11 August 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.(subscription required)
  6. 1 2 Mason, Rowena (18 April 2019). "Nigel Farage has near-total control of Brexit party, constitution suggests". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  7. ↑ Habib, Ben (23 November 2023). "The Tories have shattered the immigration dream". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.(subscription required)
  8. ↑ Payne, Adam (6 May 2019). "The Brexit Party promises Theresa May's Conservatives 'a really good kicking' in the European elections". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 13 May 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  9. ↑ "Ben Habib on mass immigration: 'We need a common culture to keep the UK together'". Belfast News Letter. 6 August 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  10. ↑ "First Property placement". Rugby School. Archived from the original on 11 August 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  11. ↑ "Alumni Community". Rugby School. Archived from the original on 11 August 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  12. ↑ "Annual Appeal". Robinson College, Cambridge. 15 June 2016. Archived from the original on 11 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  13. ↑ "Ben Habib". Advance UK. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  14. 1 2 Brooks, Charlie (16 June 2016). "'Immigration is like a Ponzi scheme' Charlie Brooks meets Telegraph reader Ben Habib ahead of next week's European Union referendum". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  15. 1 2 "Ben Habib". First Property Group. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  16. 1 2 "Profile". Information Management Network. Archived from the original on 11 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  17. ↑ "First Property raises funds to gain from post-Brexit property weakness". Reuters. 17 July 2017. Archived from the original on 11 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  18. ↑ "Ben Habib". First Property Group. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  19. ↑ Berrill, Lewis (3 September 2024). "Former Reform UK deputy leader's property company issues shares in £3m fundraising". Property Week. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  20. ↑ Moorhead, Hugh (25 July 2025). "Directors' Deals: Habib increases holding in First Property". www.ft.com. Archived from the original on 26 July 2025. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  21. ↑ "EU is making a free trade deal difficult, Brexit Party candidate says". CNBC. 22 May 2019. Archived from the original on 31 August 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
  22. ↑ Singh, Arj (12 April 2019). "Exclusive: Candidate In Farage's Brexit Party Is Profiting From EU Exit Uncertainty". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  23. ↑ Evans, Greg (17 July 2019). "Brexit Party MEP mansplains the economy to Emily Maitlis after being accused of profiting from a no-deal". The Independent. Archived from the original on 11 August 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  24. ↑ "2019 European elections: List of candidates for London". BBC News. 28 April 2019. Archived from the original on 19 June 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  25. ↑ "European elections 2019: Lib Dems make London MEP gains". BBC News. 27 May 2019. Archived from the original on 16 June 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  26. ↑ "Ben Habib". European Parliament. Archived from the original on 11 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  27. ↑ Rankin, Jennifer (26 September 2019). "Brexit party MEPs are EU's biggest earners in second jobs, study finds". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 September 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  28. ↑ "Brexit deal approved by the European Parliament". European Parliament. 29 January 2020. Archived from the original on 29 January 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  29. ↑ "Northern Ireland's unique opportunity to become a Tiger Economy". Brexit-Watch. 22 February 2020. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021.
  30. ↑ Habib, Ben (18 February 2020). "Here's how Northern Ireland can become the United Kingdom's tiger economy". The Telegraph.
  31. ↑ "Judge rejects all grounds of challenges arguing terms of NI protocol unlawful". The Irish Times. 30 June 2021. Archived from the original on 10 September 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
  32. 1 2 O'Carroll, Lisa (30 June 2021). "Belfast court dismisses legal challenge to Brexit Northern Ireland protocol". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 30 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  33. ↑ "Summary of Judgment – In re Jim Allister and others (EU Exit)", NI Judiciary, 30 June 2021, archived from the original on 30 June 2021, retrieved 30 June 2021
  34. ↑ Campbell, John (30 June 2021). "Brexit: NI Protocol is lawful, High Court rules". BBC News. Archived from the original on 1 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  35. ↑ "Allister (James Hugh) et al's Application and In the matter of the Protocol[2021] NIQB 64". Judiciary NI. 30 June 2021. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  36. ↑ O'Carroll, Lisa (14 March 2022). "Northern Ireland protocol is lawful, court of appeal rules". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 28 April 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  37. ↑ "In Her Majesty's Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland on Appeal from the High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland (Judicial Review) Between: James Hugh Allister, Benyamin Naeem Habib, Steve Aiken, The Rt Hon. Arlene Isobel Foster, Baroness Catharine Hoey of Lylehill and Rathlin and William David, The Rt Hon. Baron Trimble of Lisnagarvey and Secretary of State For Northern Ireland[2021] ICOS 2021/18686/01" (PDF). Judiciary NI. 14 March 2022.
  38. ↑ "In the matter of an application by James Hugh Allister and others for Judicial Review (Appellants) (Northern Ireland)". Supreme Court UK. 30 November 2022. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  39. ↑ "Judgment In the matter of an application by James Hugh Allister and others for Judicial Review (Appellants) (Northern Ireland)[2023] UKSC 5" (PDF). Supreme Court UK. 8 February 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  40. ↑ "Northern Ireland Protocol is lawful, Supreme Court rules". BBC News. 8 February 2023. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  41. ↑ "In the matter of an application by Clifford Peeples for Judicial Review (Appellant) (Northern Ireland) – The Supreme Court". www.supremecourt.uk. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  42. ↑ "Northern Ireland Protocol: Legal Costs". Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  43. ↑ "UK Government spent almost £200,000 defending NI Protocol legal challenges". The Independent. 21 March 2023. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  44. ↑ McGovern, Eimear (3 January 2024). "Ben Habib announces election candidacy after NI kept him in 'political arena'". Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  45. ↑ "Ben Habib Appointed Reform UK Joint Deputy Leader". Reform UK (YouTube). 9 October 2023. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  46. ↑ "Labour wins Wellingborough seat in by-election". BBC News . 16 February 2024. Archived from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  47. ↑ "Reform Anticipating 'Best Result Yet' In Wellingborough By-Election". Politics Home. 14 February 2024. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  48. ↑ "INTEGRITY PARTY UK Government Company Information". INTEGRITY PART overview - Find and update company information. 14 April 2025.
  49. ↑ Mitchell, Archie (24 April 2024). "Reform UK deputy leader says UK should 'absolutely' let migrants drown in the Channel". The Independent. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  50. ↑ "Migrants: TUV distances itself from Reform UK drowning remarks". BBC News. 27 April 2024.
  51. ↑ Habib, Ben. "Ben Habib: Farage fired me, but Reform can't be a one-man band". Archived from the original on 6 December 2025. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  52. ↑ Savage, Claudia (19 September 2024). "Nigel Farage to give up majority of shares in Reform UK Ltd". The Irish News. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  53. ↑ Whannel, Kate (28 November 2024). "Former Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns joins Reform UK". BBC News . Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  54. ↑ Habib, Ben (8 March 2025). "If anyone deserves to be removed from Reform, it's Zia Yusuf". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  55. ↑ Habib, Ben (13 March 2025). "Farage must step aside and let Rupert Lowe lead Reform". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  56. ↑ Hazell, Will (24 April 2025). "The new right-wing party that wants to put Farage's Reform out of business". The i Paper. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  57. ↑ Hazell, Will (24 April 2025). "The new right-wing party that wants to put Farage's Reform out of business". The i Paper. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  58. ↑ Self, Josh (30 June 2025). "Ex-Reform deputy launches new party to rival Nigel Farage". Politics.co.uk. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  59. ↑ "ADVANCE UK PARTY LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  60. ↑ Ben Habib: Britain Needs Fighters on YouTube
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