July–September 2016 UK Independence Party leadership election
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The 2016 UK Independence Party leadership election was announced 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 takes office.[2]
As more than one candidate is running for party leader, it will be the first contested UKIP leadership election since 2010; Farage won the 2014 leadership election unopposed.[3][4]
Campaign
Suggested potential candidates at the time of 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 as she had been suspended from the party.[5] Evans declared that she would like her suspension to be lifted so that she could stand for the leadership. She is not, however, pursuing her appeal, which is the only mechanism under the party constitution by which lifting a suspension can be achieved.[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 wanting to apply will need 50 nominations from party members and will have to pay a £5,000 fee. There will be a series of hustings over the summer. Every party member will have a vote, and the winner will be declared at the party's conference on 15 September.[1][5]
On 10 July 2016, the NEC decided that candidates must have been members for at least five years, ruling out several possible candidates, including Suzanne Evans, Douglas Carswell, and Arron Banks;[10] though the NEC later reduced this requirement to two years, potential candidates previously thought to be ineligible have not stood.[11][12] Woolfe, however, was reported to have allowed his membership to lapse for a few months, with the NEC to decide on his eligibility during final vetting procedures.[13]
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. not standing down as an MEP now that he is a member of the Welsh Assembly for North Wales, or face having his right to stand for election removed by the party.[14]
At the close of nominations on 31 July 2016, Woolfe missed the deadline for submitting his application by 17 minutes due to technical problems. A spokesman for Woolfe has said that he is still a candidate; the party has not yet confirmed whether the delay will make him ineligible. A party spokesman said a final decision would be made on Tuesday 2 August 2016 after final vetting procedures were completed.[15]
Candidates
Declared
- Jonathan Arnott, MEP for North East England (standing on joint ticket with Louise Bours as Deputy Leader)[16][17]
- Lisa Duffy, Town & District Councillor for Ramsey; Chief of Staff for Patrick O'Flynn (standing on joint ticket with Patrick O'Flynn as Deputy Leader)[18][17]
- Bill Etheridge, MEP for the West Midlands (standing on joint ticket with Mike Hookem as Deputy Leader)[6][19]
- Elizabeth Jones, UKIP NEC Member; UKIP Lambeth Deputy Chair (standing on joint ticket with Lawrence Webb as Deputy Leader)[15][19]
Declined
The following individuals either declined to stand or were potential candidates who did not stand by the close of nominations:
- Tim Aker, MEP for the East of England[6]
- Arron Banks, businessman; co-founder of the Leave.EU campaign; prominent UKIP donor (endorsed Steven Woolfe)[10]
- Neil Hamilton, Leader of UKIP in the Welsh Assembly; Member of the Welsh Assembly for Mid and West Wales; Co-Deputy Chair of UKIP from 2014–2016[5][10]
- Diane James, Co-Deputy Chair of UKIP since 2016; MEP for South East England[5]
- David Kurten, London-wide Member of the London Assembly (endorsed Steven Woolfe)
- Paul Nuttall, Deputy Leader of UKIP; MEP for North West England[20]
- Patrick O'Flynn, MEP for the East of England[5]
- Margot Parker, UKIP Small Business Spokesperson; MEP for the East Midlands[5]
- Peter Whittle, Leader of UKIP in the London Assembly and London-wide Member of the London Assembly (endorsed Steven Woolfe)
Ineligible
The following people, whether they declared their candidacies or were considered potential candidates, have been declared ineligible for various reasons:
- Douglas Carswell, MP for Clacton (has not been a party member for at least two years; declined)[11][12][21]
- Suzanne Evans, Co-Deputy Chair of UKIP from 2014–2016 (suspended from UKIP on 23 March 2016)[22]
- Antanas Guoga, pro-EU MEP for Lithuania (has not been a party member for at least two years)[23][24]
- Raheem Kassam, Editor of Breitbart London (has not been a party member for at least two years)[11][12][25]
- Mark Reckless, UKIP Economics Spokesman; Member of the Welsh Assembly for South Wales East; former MP for Rochester and Strood (has not been a party member for at least two years)[11][12]
- Steven Woolfe, UKIP Migration Spokesman; MEP for North West England (standing on joint ticket with Nathan Gill as Deputy Leader)[5][26]
Endorsements
Jonathan Arnott
MPs and MEPs
- Louise Bours, MEP for North West England (standing on joint ticket as Deputy Leader)[27][17]
- James Carver, MEP for the West Midlands[28]
- Jane Collins, MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber and UKIP Employment Spokesperson[29]
- Julia Reid, MEP for South West England[30]
Other people
- Michelle Brown, Member of the Welsh Assembly for North Wales[31]
- David McNarry, Leader of UKIP in Northern Ireland; former Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Strangford[32]
- Jeffrey Titford, former Leader of UKIP (2000–2002; 2010); former MEP for the East of England[33]
- John Whittaker, former Chairman of the UK Independence Party (2006–2008); former MEP for North West England[34]
Lisa Duffy
MPs and MEPs
- Patrick O'Flynn, MEP for the East of England (standing on joint ticket as Deputy Leader)[35][17]
Other people
- Suzanne Evans, Co-Deputy Chair of UKIP from 2014–2016[36]
- Nathan Garbutt, Founder of LGBT* in UKIP, Chairman and Parliamentary candidate for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford (UK Parliament constituency)
Bill Etheridge
MPs and MEPs
- Mike Hookem, MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber and UKIP Defence Spokesperson (standing on joint ticket as Deputy Leader)[19]
Elizabeth Jones
Other people
- Lawrence Webb, UKIP candidate for Mayor of London in 2012 (standing on joint ticket as Deputy Leader)[19]
Steven Woolfe
MPs and MEPs
- Tim Aker, MEP for the East of England[37]
- David Coburn, MEP for Scotland; Leader of UKIP in Scotland[37]
- William Dartmouth, MEP for South West England; Co-Deputy Chair of UKIP since 2016[38]
- Nathan Gill, MEP for Wales; Leader of UKIP Wales (standing on joint ticket as Deputy Leader; campaign chair)[26][39]
- Jill Seymour, MEP for the West Midlands[40]
Other people
- Arron Banks, businessman; co-founder of the Leave.EU campaign; prominent UKIP donor[41]
- David Kurten, London-wide Member of the London Assembly[37]
- Peter Whittle, Leader of UKIP in the London Assembly and London-wide Member of the London Assembly (deputy campaign chair)[42][43]
Organisations
Timetable
Nominations opened on 11 July 2016 and will close on 31 July. Campaigning will then take place in August, with a series of hustings taking place, before ballot papers are issued on 1 September to every party member, with the winner to be declared at the party's conference on 15 September.[1][5]
See also
- Conservative Party (UK) leadership election, 2016
- Green Party of England and Wales leadership election, 2016
- Labour Party (UK) leadership election, 2016
References
- ^ a b c Foster, Alice (21 July 2016). "How does Ukip's leadership election work? When is the leader elected?". Daily Express. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ "UKIP leader Nigel Farage stands down". BBC News. 4 July 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Nigel Farage re-elected unopposed as UKIP Leader". UK Independence Party. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ Edmunds, Donna Rachel (16 September 2014). "Farage Re-Elected Unopposed as UKIP Leader". Breitbart News. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "UKIP leadership: The main contenders to succeed Nigel Farage". BBC News. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- ^ a b c "Theresa May to meet Nicola Sturgeon for Brexit talks". BBC News. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ Heffer, Greg (9 July 2016). "Nigel Farage resigns - Ex-deputy chairwoman Suzanne Evans bids to replace Ukip leader". Daily Express. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
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(help) - ^ "The Constitution". UK Independence Party. 19 January 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Kassam, Raheem (11 July 2016). "EXCLUSIVE: UKIP National Executive Says Leadership Candidates Must Be 5-Year-Long Party Members". Breitbart News. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
- ^ a b c d Bennett, Asa (27 July 2016). "Ukip leadership frontrunner Steven Woolfe's bid could be derailed by membership issues". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
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(help) - ^ a b c d Bennett, Owen (26 July 2016). "Leaked Emails Appear To Show Steven Woolfe Is Ineligible To Stand In Ukip Leadership Race". The Huffington Post UK. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
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(help) - ^ Andy McSmith (30 July 2016). "Ukip leadership farce after Nigel Farage's favourite lets membership lapse". The Independent. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
- ^ "UKIP's Nathan Gill given 'double job' threat by chairman". BBC News. 23 July 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ a b Mason, Rowena (31 July 2016). "Favourite for Ukip leader Steven Woolfe misses application deadline". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
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(help) - ^ "UKIP leadership: Jonathan Arnott in bid to replace Nigel Farage". BBC News. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ a b c d "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.
- ^ "UKIP councillor will stand to be next party leader". itv.com. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ a b c d "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.
- ^ "UKIP leadership: Paul Nuttall rules out bid to replace Nigel Farage". BBC News. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ "Douglas Carswell on UKIP leader Nigel Farage resignation". BBC News. 4 July 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ "Suzanne Evans suspended by UKIP". BBC News. 23 March 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
- ^ Stone, Jon (7 July 2016). "Pro-EU Lithuanian MEP Antanas Guoga to run for UKIP leader". The Independent. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
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(help) - ^ Guoga, Antanas (11 July 2016). "Statement from MEP Antanas Guoga about UKIP's change of leadership rules". Antanas Guoga. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
- ^ "Breitbart London Editor Becomes Senior Aide to UKIP's Nigel Farage". Breitbart London. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ a b "Nathan Gill to be UKIP leadership running-mate to Steven Woolfe". BBC News. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Arnott, Jonathan (19 July 2016). "Former UKIP Leader endorses my campaign to succeed Nigel Farage. Next endorsement at 6pm". Facebook. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Could Cambridgeshire UKIP Councillor Lisa Duffy be the party's next leader?". Wisbech Standard. 12 July 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
- ^ Evans, Suzanne (26 July 2016). "Ukip needs Lisa Duffy to take it forward after Nigel Farage". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
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(help) - ^ a b c 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
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- ^ Woolfe, Steven (30 July 2016). "Thank you @JSeymourUKIP - I'm honoured to have your support". Twitter. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
- ^ "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.
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- ^ Whittle, Peter (15 July 2016). "Steven Woolfe's Ukip can deliver the British dream". The Times. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
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(help) - ^ 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.
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- ^ "Steven Woolfe for UKIP leader". Leave.EU. 18 July 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.