September 2016 UK Independence Party leadership election

The September 2016 UK Independence Party leadership election was triggered after Nigel Farage, the leader of the UK Independence Party, announced on 4 July 2016, following the Leave result in the UK referendum on EU membership, that he would step down when a new leader had been elected.[2]

September 2016 UK Independence Party leadership election
16 September 2016[1]
Turnout54.5%
 
Candidate Diane James Lisa Duffy Bill Etheridge
Running mate – Patrick O'Flynn Mike Hookem
Percentage 46.2% 25.1% 13.7%
Popular vote 8,451 4,591 2,052
 
Candidate Phillip Broughton Elizabeth Jones
Running mate – Lawrence Webb
Percentage 8.4% 6.6%
Popular vote 1,545 1,203
Leader before election

Nigel Farage

 Leader after election

Diane James

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As more than one candidate ran for the party leadership, it was the first contested UKIP leadership election since 2010; Farage won the 2014 leadership election unopposed.[3] Diane James won with 8,451 votes.[4] However, just 18 days later, she stepped down as leader and Farage was reinstated as interim leader. A second leadership election was held in November, which was won by Paul Nuttall.

Campaign

Suggested potential candidates at the time of Nigel Farage's resignation included Paul Nuttall, Steven Woolfe, Suzanne Evans, Diane James, Peter Whittle, Douglas Carswell and Patrick O'Flynn, among others.[5] Farage stated he would not endorse any candidate.[6]

Evans was ineligible at the time, because she had been suspended from the party.[5] She declared that she desired her suspension lifted so that she could stand for the leadership. Evans did not, however, at the time pursue an appeal, which is the only means under the party constitution to lift a suspension.[7][8]

Paul Nuttall announced on 9 July 2016 that he would not stand for the leadership and that he would step down as Deputy Leader of the party.[9]

The party's National Executive Committee (NEC) stated that the position of leader would be advertised online. Anyone wishing to apply would need 50 nominations from party members and would be required to pay a £5,000 fee. There was to be a series of hustings over the summer. Every party member would have a vote, and the winner was to be declared at the party's conference on 15 September.[1][5]

On 10 July 2016 the NEC decided that eligible candidates had to have been members for at least five years, ruling out several possible nominations including Suzanne Evans, Douglas Carswell and Arron Banks; although the NEC later reduced this requirement to two years' membership, potential candidates previously thought to be ineligible did not stand.[10][11] Woolfe, however, was reported to have allowed his membership to lapse for a few months (along with previously failing to declare a conviction from 14 years earlier for being drunk while in charge of a scooter (not drink-driving) when he stood for a police and crime commissioner post, in possible breach of electoral law);[12] the NEC was to decide on his eligibility during final vetting procedures. (The NEC later declared him ineligible, not owing to these issues but because he missed the nomination deadline by 17 minutes).[13][14]

In late July 2016, party chairman Steve Crowther told UKIP Wales Leader Nathan Gill, standing for Deputy Leader on a joint ticket with Woolfe, to stop "double jobbing", i.e. to stand down as an MEP now that he was a member of the Welsh Assembly for North Wales, or instead face having his right to stand for election removed by the party.[15]

At the close of nominations on 31 July 2016, Woolfe missed the deadline for submitting his application by 17 minutes, owing to technical problems; on 3 August, the NEC ruled that this made him ineligible to stand.[14] Three members of the NEC subsequently resigned in protest. The vote was seen in the context of a tension within the party between Farage supporters, backing Woolfe, and the more centrist Evans/Carswell wing.[16]

Two candidates emerged in August only upon the finalisation of candidates: Phillip Broughton, a former parliamentary candidate for Hartlepool;[17] and Diane James, MEP for South East England.[18] Jonathan Arnott later withdrew midway through the contest on 15 August 2016, saying he thought he could only come second and that he was not prepared to "court controversy in order to gain column inches" to be elected Leader.[19]

James was criticised for not attending any hustings events.[20]

Bill Etheridge

His policy proposals included cheaper beer, better representation for fathers in the family court system and a referendum on bringing back the death penalty.[21] Also amongst his policy proposals were prison reform and a move to save the British public house by reintroducing smoking via the use of efficient extraction systems as used within the European Parliament itself. While in favour of Muslim faith schools and same-sex marriage, he advocates banning the Burka.[22]

Lisa Duffy

On 8 August she made a speech calling for a shutdown of Muslim schools and Sharia courts and a ban on Islamic full-face veils in public spaces.[23] The remarks were compared to those of Donald Trump. Duffy denied "chasing the bigot vote".[24]

Candidates

Declared

Withdrew

Ineligible

The following people, whether they declared their candidacies or were considered potential candidates, were declared ineligible for various reasons:

Declined

The following individuals either declined to stand or were potential candidates who did not stand by the close of nominations:

Endorsements

Lisa Duffy

MEPs

Other people

Bill Etheridge

MEPs

Diane James

Other people

Organisations

Elizabeth Jones

Other people

  • Lawrence Webb, UKIP candidate for Mayor of London in 2012 (stood for Deputy Leader, on joint ticket with Jones)[27]

Previous endorsements

Jonathan Arnott

MEPs

Other people

Steven Woolfe

MPs and MEPs

Other people

Organisations

Timetable

Nominations opened on 11 July 2016 and closed on 31 July. Campaigning took place in August, with a series of hustings taking place, before ballot papers were issued on 1 September to every party member, with the winner declared at the party's conference on 15 September.[1][5] On 16 September, Diane James was elected leader of the party.

On 4 October 2016, 18 days after being elected, James resigned the party leadership, precipitating another election. Nigel Farage became interim leader.

Results

Diane James was elected Leader with 46% of the vote. However, 18 days later she resigned the leadership, leading to the November 2016 leadership election.

UK Independence Party Leadership election, 2016
Candidate Votes %
Y Diane James 8,451
46.2%
Lisa Duffy 4,591
25.1%
Bill Etheridge 2,052
13.7%
Phillip Broughton 1,545
8.4%
Elizabeth Jones 1,203
6.6%
Turnout 17,842 54.5%
Diane James elected as Leader Y
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See also

References
  1. Foster, Alice (21 July 2016). "How does Ukip's leadership election work? When is the leader elected?". Daily Express. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  2. "UKIP leader Nigel Farage stands down". BBC News. 4 July 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  3. "Nigel Farage re-elected unopposed as UKIP Leader". UK Independence Party. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  4. "Ukip conference: Diane James wins race to replace Nigel Farage as party leader". The Telegraph. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  5. "UKIP leadership: The main contenders to succeed Nigel Farage". BBC News. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  6. "Theresa May to meet Nicola Sturgeon for Brexit talks". BBC News. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  7. Heffer, Greg (9 July 2016). "Nigel Farage resigns - Ex-deputy chairwoman Suzanne Evans bids to replace Ukip leader". Daily Express. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  8. "The Constitution". UK Independence Party. 19 January 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  9. Belger, Tom (9 July 2016). "Here's why Paul Nuttall says he won't stand to be UKIP's leader - for now". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  10. Bennett, Asa (27 July 2016). "Ukip leadership frontrunner Steven Woolfe's bid could be derailed by membership issues". The Telegraph. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  11. Bennett, Owen (26 July 2016). "Leaked Emails Appear To Show Steven Woolfe Is Ineligible To Stand In Ukip Leadership Race". Huffington Post UK. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  12. "Ukip leadership hopeful Steven Woolfe admits failing to declare drink-drive charge". The Independent. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  13. Andy McSmith (30 July 2016). "Ukip leadership farce after Nigel Farage's favourite lets membership lapse". The Independent. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  14. Mason, Rowena (3 August 2016). "Ukip leadership: Steven Woolfe excluded from ballot". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  15. "UKIP's Nathan Gill given 'double job' threat by chairman". BBC News. 23 July 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  16. "UKIP leadership: Michael McGough resigns over Woolfe vote". BBC News. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  17. "Phillip Broughton UKIP Leadership bid BBC TV Interview". Phillip Broughton UKIP on YouTube. 2 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  18. Mason, Rowena (2 August 2016). "Diane James is new favourite to lead Ukip as candidate list is finalised". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  19. "UKIP Leadership Candidate Quits Saying He Can Only Come Second". News.sky.com. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  20. Bateman, Tom (1 September 2016). "James criticised over UKIP hustings absence". BBC News. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  21. Walker, Jonathan (20 July 2016). "UKIP leadership: Bill Etheridge calls for death penalty vote". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  22. Wilkinson, Michael (6 August 2016). "Bill Etheridge: The pro-gay marriage, pro-Muslim schools, Shiraz drinking Ukip leadership candidate – who would bring back death penalty and ban burkas". The Telegraph. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  23. "UKIP's Lisa Duffy calls for partial ban on full-face veil". BBC News. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  24. "Ramsey's UKIP leadership candidate Lisa Duffy denies "chasing the bigot vote"". Cambridge News. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  25. "Mother-of-six Lisa Duffy joined Ukip because of 'the passion of the people'". BT Group. 26 July 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  26. "Deputy rumours: @lisaduffy1968 will choose @oflynnmep and @JonathanArnott will choose Louise Bours MEP". UKIP Elects '16 on Twitter. 30 July 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  27. "Deputies so far: @BillDudleyNorth has Mike Hookem. @Steven_Woolfe has Nathan Gill. @joneselizab has Lawrence Webb". UKIP Elects '16 on Twitter. 30 July 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  28. Mason, Rowena (31 July 2016). "Favourite for Ukip leader Steven Woolfe misses application deadline". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  29. "UKIP leadership: Jonathan Arnott in bid to replace Nigel Farage". BBC News. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  30. "Douglas Carswell on UKIP leader Nigel Farage resignation". BBC News. 4 July 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  31. "Suzanne Evans suspended by UKIP". BBC News. 23 March 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  32. "Nathan Gill to be UKIP leadership running-mate to Steven Woolfe". BBC News. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  33. Coburn, David (3 August 2016). "I would have stood for Leader had Woolfe not been standing Turn those machines back on !". Twitter. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  34. "UKIP leadership: Paul Nuttall rules out bid to replace Nigel Farage". BBC News. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  35. "Could Cambridgeshire UKIP Councillor Lisa Duffy be the party's next leader?". Wisbech Standard. 12 July 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  36. Hall, Macer (15 August 2016). "Ukip race to replace Farage heats up as MEP pulls out". Daily Express. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  37. "Nigel Farage's Former Aide Tells Suzanne Evans To 'Shut Up', While Leadership Candidate Trolled In Secret Facebook Group". Huffingtonpost.co.uk. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  38. Evans, Suzanne (26 July 2016). "Ukip needs Lisa Duffy to take it forward after Nigel Farage". The Telegraph. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  39. "Ukip Leadership Frontrunner Diane James Could Snub All The Hustings, Her Campaign Confirms". Huffington Post UK. 11 August 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  40. Arnott, Jonathan (28 July 2016). "I'm pleased to announce that Louise Bours MEP has endorsed my campaign for UKIP leader". Facebook. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  41. Arnott, Jonathan (16 July 2016). "I'm pleased to announce that Jim Carver MEP has endorsed my campaign for UKIP leader. Next endorsement at 1pm". Facebook. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  42. Arnott, Jonathan (16 July 2016). "I'm pleased to announce that Jane Collins MEP has endorsed my campaign for UKIP leader. Next endorsement at 9AM". Facebook. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  43. Arnott, Jonathan (21 July 2016). "I'm pleased to announce that Julia Reid MEP has endorsed my campaign for UKIP leader". Facebook. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  44. Arnott, Jonathan (20 July 2016). "I'm pleased to announce that Michelle Brown AM has endorsed my campaign for UKIP leader. Next endorsement at 1pm". Facebook. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  45. Arnott, Jonathan (17 July 2016). "I'm pleased to announce that David McNarry has endorsed my campaign for UKIP leader. Next endorsement at 6pm". Facebook. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  46. Arnott, Jonathan (19 July 2016). "Former UKIP Leader endorses my campaign to succeed Nigel Farage. Next endorsement at 6pm". Facebook. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  47. Arnott, Jonathan (18 July 2016). "I'm pleased to announce that John Whittaker has endorsed my campaign for UKIP leader. Next endorsement at 8am". Facebook. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  48. Woolfe, Steven (14 July 2016). "Steven Woolfe on Twitter: "A huge thanks to @davidkurten, @Tim_Aker and @DavidCoburnUKip for continued support. Thanks for being a crucial part of this campaign.."". Twitter. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  49. Woolfe, Steven (20 July 2016). "Pleased to announce the support and backing of William Dartmouth MEP to my leadership campaign". Twitter. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  50. Woolfe, Steven (14 July 2016). "Thank you @NathanGillMEP for chairing my campaign and for this thoughtful piece. Please read. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/nathan-gill/steven-woolfe-ukip-leader_b_10984048.html … via @HuffPostUKPol". Twitter. Retrieved 17 July 2016. External link in |title= (help)
  51. Woolfe, Steven (30 July 2016). "Thank you @JSeymourUKIP - I'm honoured to have your support". Twitter. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  52. "Arron Banks and Leave.EU back @Steven_Woolfe for UKIP Leader! Read why here: http://bit.ly/29JOBOj #Woolfe4Leader". Leave.EU on Twitter. 18 July 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016. External link in |title= (help)
  53. Kassam, Raheem (31 July 2016). "It appears the UKIP national executive are planning to stitch up the leadership election by illegitimately keeping Steven Woolfe MEP off the ballot by lying to the press about membership lapses and timing problems with forms. I'm told is mostly coming from a team that supports Neil Hamilton AM. So I've been asked to share this and ask you all to do the same, and I will say the following too, from me... If someone like Steven Woolfe is kept off the ballot for spurious reasons, I will declare full scale war on UKIP, using all the assets and sources at my disposal to topple the Tory establishment that is trying to take over the party. That's a warning and a promise". Facebook. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  54. Whittle, Peter (15 July 2016). "Steven Woolfe's Ukip can deliver the British dream". The Times. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  55. Woolfe, Steven (15 July 2016). "Thank you @prwhittle for being my deputy campaign chairman and for writing this piece for the Times. Read here. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/redbox/topic/ukip-conference/steven-woolfes-ukip-can-deliver-the-british-dream …". Twitter. Retrieved 17 July 2016. External link in |title= (help)
  56. "Steven Woolfe for UKIP leader". Leave.EU. 18 July 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
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