UKIP Frontbench Team

The UK Independence Party (UKIP) is a political party in the United Kingdom. The front bench team is divided into departmental sub-units, the principal ones being the economy, foreign policy and immigration. Sometimes the front bench team consists of more than just the principal positions.

Logo of UKIP

UKIP Frontbench Team
Incumbent Freddy Vachha since 22 June 2019
Member of	UK Independence Party (UKIP)
Reports to	UKIP Leader and UKIP National Executive Committee
Appointer	UK Independence Party (UKIP)
Deputy	Pat Mountain
Website	www.ukip.org

Vachha front bench team II August 2020-Present

Vachha reshuffled his front bench in late-July/early-August 2020, according to the UKIP website[1].

Department	Spokesperson
Leader	Freddy Vachha
Science
Deputy Leader	Pat Mountain
Abuse and Exploitation
Chairman	Ben Walker
Defence
Deputy Chairman	Pete Muswell
General Secretary	Paul Girvan
Animal Welfare
Leader of UKIP in Wales	Neil Hamilton MS
Leader of UKIP in Northern Ireland	Robert Hill
Leader of UKIP in Scotland	Donald Mackay
Immigration
Foreign and Commonwealth	Alan Love
Finance and Markets	Steve Grimes
Law and Order	Steve Unwin
Prison and Reform	Ronie Johnson
Culture	Elizabeth Jones
Housing	Marietta King
Transport	Steve Lee
Brexit	Lester Taylor
Health	Helena Windsor
Engineering and Technology	Hoong-Wai Cheah
Disability and Equality	Ed McNally
Business	Richard Elvin
Energy	Stuart Agnew
Agriculture	Pat Bryant
Youth Affairs	Joel McGuigan
Family and Children	Julia Searle
Climate Change	Peter Kirby

Vachha front bench team June 2020-August 2020

Freddy Vachha was elected leader 22 June 2020.

Department	Spokesperson
Leader	Freddy Vachha
Science
Deputy Leader	Pat Mountain
Chairman	Ben Walker
Defence
Head of Policy	Pete Muswell
Deputy Chairman (interim)
Technology
General Secretary	Paul Girvan
Animal Welfare
Leader of UKIP in Wales	Neil Hamilton MS
Agriculture
Leader of UKIP in Northern Ireland	Robert Hill
Leader of UKIP in Scotland	Donald Mackay
Small Business
Foreign & Commonwealth	Elizabeth Jones
Housing	Marietta King
Transport	Steve Lee
Brexit	Lester Taylor
Economy (inc. Tax and Work & Pensions)	Troy De Leon
Integration	Kim Rose
Health	Helena Windsor
Disability and Equality	Ed McNally
Business	Richard Elvin

Braine front bench team August–October 2019

Richard Braine, elected leader 10 August 2019, was suspended from the party on 12 October 2019 and resigned as leader on 30 October 2019; he was yet to announce his full front bench team. After Paul Oakley's resignation as General Secretary, Braine appointed Jeff Armstrong. Armstrong was suspended from the party, along with Braine, over allegations of data theft.[2] On 27 October 2019, Lord Pearson of Rannoch resigned from UKIP to sit as a non-affiliated life peer, leaving the party with no representatives in the House of Lords.[3]

Department	Spokesperson
Leader	Richard Braine (disputed from 12 October 2019; resigned 30 October 2019)
Deputy Leader	Tony Sharp[4]
Chairman	Kirstan Herriot
Deputy Chairman	Vacant
General Secretary	Jeff Armstrong (disputed from October 2019)
Treasurer	Mark Harland
Leader of UKIP in Wales	Neil Hamilton AM
Leader of UKIP in Scotland	Donald MacKay
Leader of UKIP in Northern Ireland	Robert Hill
Leader of UKIP in the House of Lords	Lord Pearson of Rannoch Position abolished (from 27 October 2019)
Leader of UKIP in the Welsh Assembly	Gareth Bennett AM
Small Business	Ernie Warrender

Batten front bench team 2018-2019

Gerard Batten was appointed UKIP's interim leader on 17 February 2018 and announced his front bench team in March 2018. He was elected unopposed as UKIP's leader on 14 April 2018, and promised to serve for a 12-month period. By the end of his term there had been some changes, particularly resignations towards the end of the year. Some posts remained vacant after members left the party or at least the post in question.

Department	Spokesperson
Leader	Gerard Batten
Deputy Leader	Mike Hookem MEP (Until 24 May 2019) Vacant (From 24 May 2019)
Veterans Affairs, Fisheries	Mike Hookem MEP
Chairman	Tony McIntyre (Until 7 October 2018) Kirstan Herriot (From 7 October 2018)
Deputy Chairman, Home Affairs	Margot Parker MEP (Until 15 April 2019) Vacant (From 15 April 2019)
General Secretary	Paul Oakley
Treasurer	Sebastian Fairweather [5]
Leader of UKIP in Wales	Neil Hamilton AM
Leader of UKIP in Scotland	Donald MacKay
Spokesman for Northern Ireland	Robert Hill [6]
Families and Children	Alan Craig
Education	David Kurten AM (until 5 December 2018) Vacant (from 5 December 2018)
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs	Ray Finch MEP (until 17 April 2019) Vacant (from 17 April 2019)
Defence	Ray Finch MEP (until 17 April 2019) Mike Hookem (from 17 April 2019)
Exiting the European Union, Leader in the European Parliament	Gerard Batten MEP
Energy	vacant
Health and Social Care	vacant
Transport	Stephen Lee
Agriculture and Rural Affairs	Stuart Agnew MEP
Business, Trade & Industrial Strategy	Christopher Mills
Small Business	Ernie Warrender
Work and Pensions	Andrew Charalambous

Bolton front bench team 2017-2018

Henry Bolton, elected leader 29 September 2017, announced his front bench on 18 October 2017.[7] Following revelations about Henry Bolton's affair with a woman accused of racism a number of his spokespeople resigned.[8]

Department	Spokesperson
Leader	Henry Bolton
Chairman	Paul Oakden
Deputy Chair	William Dartmouth MEP (Until 22 January 2018) vacant (From 22 January 2018)[8]
Deputy Leader	Margot Parker MEP (Until 22 January 2018) vacant (From 22 January 2018)[8]
Assistant Deputy Leader	James Carver MEP
Assistant Deputy Leader	Mike Hookem MEP (Until 22 January 2018) vacant (From 22 January 2018)[8]
Leader in the European Parliament	Ray Finch MEP
Leader in the Assembly for Wales	Neil Hamilton AM
Leader in the London Assembly	Peter Whittle (Until 22 January 2018) vacant (From 22 January 2018)[8]
Treasury	Jonathan Arnott MEP (Until 19 January 2018) vacant (From 19 January 2018)[9]
Leader of UKIP in Wales	Neil Hamilton AM
Leader of UKIP in Scotland	David Coburn MEP
Home Affairs	Richard Bingley
Justice	vacant[8]
Immigration	vacant[8]
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs	Ray Finch MEP
Exiting the European Union	vacant[8]
Defence	Henry Bolton
International Development	vacant[8]
Veterans Affairs	Mike Hookem MEP (Until 22 January 2018) vacant (From 22 January 2018)[8]
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy	Christopher Mills
Small Business	Ernie Warrender
International Trade	vacant[8]
Education	David Kurten (Until 22 January 2018) vacant (From 22 January 2018)[8]
Work and Pensions	Andrew Charalambous
Welfare and Social Policy	David Sprason (Until 22 January 2018) vacant (From 22 January 2018)[8]
Energy and Climate Change	vacant[8]
Health and Social Care	Dr Julia Reid MEP (Until 22 January 2018) vacant (From 22 January 2018)[8]
Transport	Jill Seymour MEP
Women and Equalities	vacant[8]
Housing, Communities and Local Government	vacant[8]
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs	Dr Julia Reid MEP (Until 22 January 2018) vacant (From 22 January 2018)[8]
Agriculture	Stuart Agnew MEP
Fisheries	Mike Hookem MEP (Until 22 January 2018) vacant (From 22 January 2018)[8]
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport	David Meacock (Until 22 January 2018) vacant (From 22 January 2018)[8]
Electoral Reform	David Allen

Nuttall and Crowther front bench team 2016-2017

Paul Nuttall formed his front bench team following his election as leader. This was following a period of turmoil in the party which resulted in former migration spokesman Steven Woolfe and leader-elect Diane James leaving UKIP to sit as independents in the European Parliament. The position of deputy leader was given to Peter Whittle. Nuttall resigned following a poor election campaign, and was succeeded in an acting capacity by Steve Crowther.

Department	Spokesperson
Chairman	Paul Oakden
Co-deputy Chairwoman	Suzanne Evans
Co-deputy Chairman	William Dartmouth
Leader	Paul Nuttall Steve Crowther (acting)
Deputy Leader	Peter Whittle AM
Leader in the European Parliament	Ray Finch MEP
Leader in the Assembly for Wales	Neil Hamilton AM
Leader in the London Assembly	Peter Whittle AM
General Secretary	Jonathan Arnott MEP
Key Seats co-ordinator	Cllr. Tim Aker MEP
Treasurer	John Bickley
Head of Policy	Suzanne Evans
Head of UKIP Wales	Neil Hamilton
Head of UKIP Scotland	David Coburn MEP
Head of UKIP Northern Ireland	Regional committee
Economy Spokesman	Patrick O'Flynn 2017 Mark Reckless 2016-2017
Home Affairs and Justice Spokeswoman	Jane Collins MEP
Immigration Spokesman	John Bickley
Constitutional Affairs Spokesman	Jonathan Arnott MEP 2016-2017
Foreign and Commonwealth Spokesman	James Carver MEP 2016-2017 Ray Finch MEP
Defence Spokesman	Cllr. Bill Etheridge MEP
Veterans Spokesman	Mike Hookem MEP
Education and Apprenticeships Spokesman	David Kurten AM
Brexit Spokesman	Gerard Batten MEP
International Trade Spokesman	William Dartmouth
Business Spokesman	Christopher Mills
Small Business Spokesman	Ernie Warrender
Energy Spokesman	Roger Helmer
Health Spokeswoman	Suzanne Evans
Disability Spokeswoman	Star Anderton
Work and Pensions Spokesman	Andrew Charalambous
Welfare and Social Policy Spokesman	David Sprason
Transportation Spokeswoman	Jill Seymour MEP
Equalities and Women's Issues Spokeswoman	Margot Parker MEP
Justice Spokesman	Peter Jewell
Local Government Spokesman	Cllr. Peter Reeve
Housing Spokesman	Ray Finch MEP
Environment Spokeswoman	Dr. Julia Reid MEP
Agriculture Spokesman	Stuart Agnew MEP
Fisheries Spokesman	Mike Hookem MEP
Special Assistant to the leader	Roger Bird[10]
Culture Spokesman	Peter Whittle AM
Media and Sport Spokesman	Patrick O'Flynn MEP 2016-2017
Tourism Spokeswoman	Cllr. Victoria Ayling 2016-2017 Jonathan Bullock MEP
Foreign Aid Spokeswoman	Cllr. Lisa Duffy
Party Policy Committee	Suzanne Evans

• Mark Reckless left the party in April 2017, meaning his position as Economy Spokesman went to Patrick O'Flynn AM.
• James Carver resigned from his position as Foreign Affairs Spokesman due to the policy differences over Islamic integration.
• Paul Nuttall announced his resignation as leader following disappointing election results.
• Jonathan Arnott left his role following the poor general election result.
• Victoria Ayling resigned from her role as tourism spokeswoman following the resignation of Paul Nuttall, she also quit the party.
• Suzanne Evans announced she was taking a break from politics due to health issues.
• Patrick O'Flynn announced his resignation on 27 July due policy differences with leadership candidates.

Farage and James front bench team 2014-2016

This was the front bench team of Nigel Farage from June 2014 till September 2016, briefly that of Diane James from September to October 2016, and Farage again in an acting capacity from October to November 2016.

Name	Portfolio
Paul Oakden	Chairman of UKIP
Diane James	Deputy Chair of UKIP Home Affairs and Justice
Nigel Farage Diane James (elect)	Leader of UKIP
Paul Nuttall	Deputy leader of UKIP Education, Life Skills and Training
Lord Pearson	Leader of UKIP in the House of Lords
William Dartmouth	Deputy Chair of UKIP Trade Spokesperson
Mark Reckless	Economics Spokesperson Head of UKIP Policy
James Carver	Commonwealth Spokesperson
Mike Hookem	Defence Spokesperson
Margot Parker	Small Business Spokesperson
Jane Collins	Employment Spokesperson
Star Anderton	Disability Spokesperson
Louise Bours	Health Spokesperon
Roger Helmer	Energy Spokesperson
Stuart Agnew	Agriculture Spokesperson
Ray Finch	Fisheries Spokesperson
Julia Reid	Science Spokesperson
Jill Seymour	Transport Spokesperson
Steven Woolfe	Immigration Spokesperson
Jonathan Arnott	EU Budget Spokesperson
Nathan Gill	International Development Spokesperson Leader of UKIP Wales
David McNarry	Leader of UKIP Northern Ireland
David Coburn	Leader of UKIP Scotland
Peter Whittle	Leader of UKIP in the London Assembly Culture and Communities Spokesperson
Andrew Charalambous	Housing and Environment Spokesperson
Peter Reeve	Local Government Spokesperson

References

1. UKIP. "UK Independence Party (UKIP)". UK Indendence Party (UKIP). Retrieved 3 July 2020.
2. "UKIP leader suspended over data theft allegations". 21 October 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
3. PoliticsHome.com (4 November 2019). "New appointments this week in UK politics, the civil service and public affairs". PoliticsHome.com. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
4. "Ukip loses High Court fight with former leader Richard Braine". www.shropshirestar.com. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
5. http://www.ukip.org/people_key. Missing or empty |title= (help)
6. https://ukipnorthernireland.uk/archives/972. Missing or empty |title= (help)
7. Evans, Vivian (18 October 2017). "Henry Bolton announces his new team". UKIP Daily. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
8. Walker, Pete (22 January 2018). "Ukip leader under more pressure to step down as top party figures quit". the Guardian. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
9. "UKIP loses another MEP as Jonathan Arnott quits party". BBC News. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
10. UKIP [@UKIP] (7 January 2017). "Roger Bird appointed as Special Assistant to UKIP Leader" (Tweet). Retrieved 18 February 2018 – via Twitter.