July–September 2016 UK Independence Party leadership election

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. Farage stated he would not endorse any candidate.

Evans was ineligible at the time, because she had been suspended from the party.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-36712733|title=UKIP leadership: The main contenders to succeed Nigel Farage|work=BBC News|date=6 July 2016|access-date=17 July 2016}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/686069/Nigel-Farage-resigns-Ex-deputy-chairwoman-Suzanne-Evans-bid-replace-Ukip-leader|title=Nigel Farage resigns - Ex-deputy chairwoman Suzanne Evans bids to replace Ukip leader|newspaper=Daily Express|last=Heffer|first=Greg|date=9 July 2016|access-date=9 July 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ukip.org/the_constitution|title=The Constitution|publisher=UK Independence Party|date=19 January 2012|access-date=15 July 2016|archive-date=24 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524022754/http://www.ukip.org/the_constitution|url-status=dead}}

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.{{cite news|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/heres-paul-nuttall-says-wont-11591953|title=Here's why Paul Nuttall says he won't stand to be UKIP's leader - for now|newspaper=Liverpool Echo|last=Belger|first=Tom|date=9 July 2016|access-date=9 July 2016}}

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.

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/27/ukip-leadership-frontrunner-steven-woolfes-bid-could-be-derailed/ |title=Ukip leadership frontrunner Steven Woolfe's bid could be derailed by membership issues |work=The Telegraph |last=Bennett |first=Asa |date=27 July 2016 |access-date=27 July 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/steven-woolfe-ukip_uk_5797b95ee4b02508de478dc7|title=Leaked Emails Appear To Show Steven Woolfe Is Ineligible To Stand In Ukip Leadership Race|work=Huffington Post UK|last=Bennett|first=Owen|date=26 July 2016|access-date=27 July 2016}} 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);{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ukip-steven-woolfe-withholding-drink-drive-charge-nigel-farage-a7167001.html|title=Ukip leadership hopeful Steven Woolfe admits failing to declare drink-drive charge|newspaper=The Independent|date=1 August 2016|access-date=3 August 2016}} 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).{{cite news|author=Andy McSmith |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ukip-membership-nigel-farage-steven-woolfe-leadership-farce-membership-a7162156.html |title=Ukip leadership farce after Nigel Farage's favourite lets membership lapse |newspaper=The Independent |date=2016-07-30 |access-date=2016-07-31}}

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.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-36869013 |title=UKIP's Nathan Gill given 'double job' threat by chairman |work=BBC News |date=2016-07-23 |access-date=2016-07-27}}

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.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/aug/03/ukip-leadership-steven-woolfe-excluded-from-ballot|title=Ukip leadership: Steven Woolfe excluded from ballot|newspaper=The Guardian|last=Mason|first=Rowena|date=3 August 2016|access-date=3 August 2016}} 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36967136 |title=UKIP leadership: Michael McGough resigns over Woolfe vote |work=BBC News |date=2016-08-03 |access-date=2016-08-07}}

Two candidates emerged in August only upon the finalisation of candidates: Phillip Broughton, a former parliamentary candidate for Hartlepool;{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CGZA3-aO1A|title=Phillip Broughton UKIP Leadership bid BBC TV Interview|publisher=Phillip Broughton UKIP on YouTube|date=2 August 2016|access-date=3 August 2016}} and Diane James, MEP for South East England. 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.{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/ukip-leadership-candidate-quits-saying-he-can-only-come-second-10537560 |title=UKIP Leadership Candidate Quits Saying He Can Only Come Second |publisher=News.sky.com |access-date=2016-08-15}}

James was criticised for not attending any hustings events.{{cite news|last=Bateman |first=Tom |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37240878 |title=James criticised over UKIP hustings absence |work=BBC News |date=2016-09-01 |access-date=2016-09-17}}

His policy proposals included cheaper beer, better representation for fathers in the family court system and a referendum on bringing back the death penalty.{{Cite news | title = UKIP leadership: Bill Etheridge calls for death penalty vote | last = Walker | first = Jonathan | newspaper = Birmingham Mail | date = 20 July 2016 | access-date = 2016-07-21 | url = http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/ukip-leadership-election-bill-etheridge-11641430 }} 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.{{cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Michael |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/06/bill-etheridge-the-pro-gay-marriage-pro-muslim-schools-shiraz-dr/ |title=Bill Etheridge: The pro-gay marriage, pro-Muslim schools, Shiraz drinking Ukip leadership candidate – who would bring back death penalty and ban burkas |work=The Telegraph |date=6 August 2016 |access-date=30 November 2016}}

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.{{cite news |title=UKIP's Lisa Duffy calls for partial ban on full-face veil |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37014785 |access-date=9 August 2016 |work=BBC News |date=8 August 2016}} The remarks were compared to those of Donald Trump. Duffy denied "chasing the bigot vote".{{cite news|title=Ramsey's UKIP leadership candidate Lisa Duffy denies "chasing the bigot vote"|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/ramsey-8217-s-ukip-leadership-candidate-lisa-duffy-denies-8220-chasing-the-bigot-vote-8221/story-29597995-detail/story.html#JkomCw9AHzVjoouH.99|access-date=9 August 2016|work=Cambridge News|date=9 August 2016}}

• Phillip Broughton, UKIP candidate for Hartlepool in 2015
• Lisa Duffy, Town and District Councillor for Ramsey; Chief of Staff for Patrick O'Flynn (standing on joint ticket with O'Flynn as Deputy Leader){{cite web|url=http://home.bt.com/news/uk-news/mother-of-six-lisa-duffy-joined-ukip-because-of-the-passion-of-the-people-11364075671271|title=Mother-of-six Lisa Duffy joined Ukip because of 'the passion of the people'|publisher=BT Group|date=26 July 2016|access-date=7 October 2016}}
• Bill Etheridge, MEP for the West Midlands and Dudley Borough Councillor for Sedgley Ward (standing on joint ticket with Mike Hookem as Deputy Leader){{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-36570120 |title=Theresa May to meet Nicola Sturgeon for Brexit talks|work=BBC News|date=15 July 2016|access-date=15 July 2016}}
• Diane James, Co-Deputy Chair of UKIP since 2016; MEP for South East England{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/aug/02/diane-james-ukip-favourite-lead-candidates-list-finalised|title=Diane James is new favourite to lead Ukip as candidate list is finalised|newspaper=The Guardian|last=Mason|first=Rowena|date=2 August 2016|access-date=3 August 2016}}
• Elizabeth Jones, UKIP NEC Member; UKIP Lambeth Deputy Chair (standing on joint ticket with Lawrence Webb as Deputy Leader){{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/UKIPElects16/status/759501168963969026|title=Deputies so far: @BillDudleyNorth has Mike Hookem. @Steven_Woolfe has Nathan Gill. @joneselizab has Lawrence Webb.|publisher=UKIP Elects '16 on Twitter|date=30 July 2016|access-date=31 July 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/31/ukip-leadership-favourite-steven-woolfe-legal-action-excluded|title=Favourite for Ukip leader Steven Woolfe misses application deadline|newspaper=The Guardian|last=Mason|first=Rowena|date=31 July 2016|access-date=31 July 2016}}

• Jonathan Arnott, MEP for North East England (had been standing on joint ticket with Louise Bours as Deputy Leader){{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36776642|title=UKIP leadership: Jonathan Arnott in bid to replace Nigel Farage|work=BBC News|date=15 July 2016|access-date=15 July 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/UKIPElects16/status/759502137743278080|title=Deputy rumours: @lisaduffy1968 will choose @oflynnmep and @JonathanArnott will choose Louise Bours MEP.|publisher=UKIP Elects '16 on Twitter|date=30 July 2016|access-date=31 July 2016}}

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

• Douglas Carswell, MP for Clacton (had been a party member for less than two years; declined){{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-36705033|title=Douglas Carswell on UKIP leader Nigel Farage resignation|work=BBC News|date=4 July 2016|access-date=27 July 2016}}
• Suzanne Evans, Co-Deputy Chair of UKIP from 2014 to 2016 (suspended from UKIP on 23 March 2016){{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35881688|title=Suzanne Evans suspended by UKIP|work=BBC News|date=23 March 2016|access-date=23 March 2016}}
• Raheem Kassam, Editor of Breitbart London; former senior adviser to Nigel Farage (had been a party member for less than two years; endorsed Steven Woolfe)
• Mark Reckless, UKIP Economics Spokesman; Member of the Welsh Assembly for South Wales East; former MP for Rochester and Strood (had been a party member for less than two years)
• Steven Woolfe, UKIP Migration Spokesman; MEP for North West England (missed nomination deadline by 17 minutes; had been to stand on joint ticket with Nathan Gill as Deputy Leader){{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-36793037|title=Nathan Gill to be UKIP leadership running-mate to Steven Woolfe|work=BBC News|date=14 July 2016|access-date=14 July 2016}}

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
• David Coburn, MEP for Scotland; Leader of UKIP in Scotland{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/DavidCoburnUKip/status/760805552381362176|title=I would have stood for Leader had Woolfe not been standing Turn those machines back on !|publisher=Twitter|last=Coburn|first=David|date=3 August 2016|access-date=3 August 2016}}
• 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 to 2016
• David Kurten, London-wide Member of the London Assembly (endorsed Steven Woolfe)
• Paul Nuttall, Deputy Leader of UKIP; MEP for North West England{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36756379 |title=UKIP leadership: Paul Nuttall rules out bid to replace Nigel Farage|work=BBC News|date=15 July 2016|access-date=15 July 2016}}
• Patrick O'Flynn, MEP for the East of England
• Margot Parker, UKIP Small Business Spokesperson; MEP for the East Midlands
• Peter Whittle, Leader of UKIP in the London Assembly and London-wide Member of the London Assembly (endorsed Steven Woolfe)

MEPs

• Patrick O'Flynn, MEP for the East of England (stood for Deputy Leader, on joint ticket with Duffy){{cite web|url=http://www.wisbechstandard.co.uk/news/could_cambridgeshire_ukip_councillor_lisa_duffy_be_the_party_s_next_leader_1_4613973|title=Could Cambridgeshire UKIP Councillor Lisa Duffy be the party's next leader?|publisher=Wisbech Standard|date=12 July 2016|access-date=19 July 2016}}
• Gerard Batten, MEP for London, founding member of UKIP{{cite news|last=Hall |first=Macer |url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/700367/Ukip-race-replace-Farage-MEP-pulls-out?_ga=1.47093679.909236673.1451238880 |title=Ukip race to replace Farage heats up as MEP pulls out |newspaper=Daily Express |date=2016-08-15 |access-date=2016-08-21}}
• Louise Bours, MEP for North West England{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/watch-as-nigel-farages-former-aide-tells-suzanne-evans-to-shut-up_uk_57b2f79be4b0730aab646256 |title=Nigel Farage's Former Aide Tells Suzanne Evans To 'Shut Up', While Leadership Candidate Trolled In Secret Facebook Group |publisher=Huffingtonpost.co.uk |date=2016-08-16 |access-date=2016-08-21}}

Other people

• Suzanne Evans, Co-Deputy Chair of UKIP from 2014 to 2016{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/26/ukip-needs-lisa-duffy-to-take-it-forward-after-nigel-farage/|title=Ukip needs Lisa Duffy to take it forward after Nigel Farage|work=The Telegraph|last=Evans|first=Suzanne|date=26 July 2016|access-date=26 July 2016}}

MEPs

• Mike Hookem, MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber and UKIP Defence Spokesperson (stood for Deputy Leader, on joint ticket with Etheridge)

Other people

• Arron Banks, businessman; co-founder of the Leave.EU campaign; prominent UKIP donor{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/diane-james-ukip-leadership-hustings_uk_57ac7769e4b03759dff05252|title=Ukip Leadership Frontrunner Diane James Could Snub All The Hustings, Her Campaign Confirms|work=Huffington Post UK|date=11 August 2016|access-date=20 August 2016}} (previously endorsed Steven Woolfe)

Organisations

• Leave.EU (previously endorsed Steven Woolfe)

Other people

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

MEPs

• Louise Bours, MEP for North West England{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/jonathanarnottukip/photos/a.1433062526907500.1073741828.1407975036082916/1764746827072400/?type=3&theater|title=I'm pleased to announce that Louise Bours MEP has endorsed my campaign for UKIP leader.|publisher=Facebook|last=Arnott|first=Jonathan|date=28 July 2016|access-date=30 July 2016}}
• James Carver, MEP for the West Midlands{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/jonathanarnottukip/photos/a.1433062526907500.1073741828.1407975036082916/1760547490825667/?type=3&theater|title=I'm pleased to announce that Jim Carver MEP has endorsed my campaign for UKIP leader. Next endorsement at 1pm.|publisher=Facebook|last=Arnott|first=Jonathan|date=16 July 2016|access-date=17 July 2016}}
• Jane Collins, MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber and UKIP Employment Spokesperson{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/jonathanarnottukip/photos/a.1433062526907500.1073741828.1407975036082916/1760672137479869/?type=3&theater|title=I'm pleased to announce that Jane Collins MEP has endorsed my campaign for UKIP leader. Next endorsement at 9AM.|publisher=Facebook|last=Arnott|first=Jonathan|date=16 July 2016|access-date=17 July 2016}}
• Julia Reid, MEP for South West England{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/jonathanarnottukip/photos/pb.1407975036082916.-2207520000.1469130906./1762456597301423/?type=3&theater|title=I'm pleased to announce that Julia Reid MEP has endorsed my campaign for UKIP leader.|publisher=Facebook|last=Arnott|first=Jonathan|date=21 July 2016|access-date=21 July 2016}}

Other people

• Michelle Brown, Member of the Welsh Assembly for North Wales{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/jonathanarnottukip/photos/a.1433062526907500.1073741828.1407975036082916/1761980554015694/?type=3&theater|title=I'm pleased to announce that Michelle Brown AM has endorsed my campaign for UKIP leader. Next endorsement at 1pm.|publisher=Facebook|last=Arnott|first=Jonathan|date=20 July 2016|access-date=20 July 2016}}
• David McNarry, Leader of UKIP in Northern Ireland; former member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Strangford{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/jonathanarnottukip/photos/a.1408344449379308.1073741827.1407975036082916/1760313027515780/?type=3|title=I'm pleased to announce that David McNarry has endorsed my campaign for UKIP leader. Next endorsement at 6pm.|publisher=Facebook|last=Arnott|first=Jonathan|date=17 July 2016|access-date=17 July 2016}}
• Jeffrey Titford, former leader of UKIP (2000–2002; 2010); former MEP for the East of England{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/jonathanarnottukip/photos/a.1433062526907500.1073741828.1407975036082916/1761702710710145/?type=3&theater|title=Former UKIP Leader endorses my campaign to succeed Nigel Farage. Next endorsement at 6pm.|publisher=Facebook|last=Arnott|first=Jonathan|date=19 July 2016|access-date=19 July 2016}}
• John Whittaker, former chairman of the UK Independence Party (2006–2008); former MEP for North West England{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/jonathanarnottukip/photos/pb.1407975036082916.-2207520000.1468868821./1761363970744019/?type=3&theater|title=I'm pleased to announce that John Whittaker has endorsed my campaign for UKIP leader. Next endorsement at 8am.|publisher=Facebook|last=Arnott|first=Jonathan|date=18 July 2016|access-date=18 July 2016}}

MPs and MEPs

• Tim Aker, MEP for the East of England{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Steven_Woolfe/status/753566063762300929 |title=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.."|publisher=Twitter|last=Woolfe|first=Steven|date=14 July 2016|access-date=15 July 2016}}
• David Coburn, MEP for Scotland; Leader of UKIP in Scotland
• William Dartmouth, MEP for South West England; Co-Deputy Chair of UKIP since 2016{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Steven_Woolfe/status/755740796251475968|title=Pleased to announce the support and backing of William Dartmouth MEP to my leadership campaign.|publisher=Twitter|last=Woolfe|first=Steven|date=20 July 2016|access-date=20 July 2016}}
• Nathan Gill, MEP for Wales; Leader of UKIP Wales (was to stand on joint ticket with Woolfe, for Deputy Leader; campaign chair){{cite tweet |user=Steven_Woolfe |number=753587605384654848 |title=Thank you @NathanGillMEP for chairing my campaign and for this thoughtful piece. Please read. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/nathan-gill/steven-woolfe-ukip-leader_b_10984048.html … via @HuffPostUKPol |via=Twitter|last=Woolfe |first=Steven|date=14 July 2016|access-date=17 July 2016}}
• Jill Seymour, MEP for the West Midlands{{cite tweet |user=Steven_Woolfe |number=759342696171446272|title=Thank you @JSeymourUKIP - I'm honoured to have your support|via=Twitter|last=Woolfe|first=Steven|date=30 July 2016|access-date=30 July 2016}}

Other people

• Arron Banks, businessman; co-founder of the Leave.EU campaign; prominent UKIP donor{{cite tweet |user=LeaveEUOfficial |number=755099657785618436 |title=Arron Banks and Leave.EU back @Steven_Woolfe for UKIP Leader! Read why here: http://bit.ly/29JOBOj #Woolfe4Leader|publisher=Leave.EU on Twitter|date=18 July 2016|access-date=18 July 2016}}
• Raheem Kassam, Editor of Breitbart London{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/raheemjkassam/photos/a.448955035313836.1073741828.448623025347037/521529051389767/?type=3&theater|title=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.|publisher=Facebook|last=Kassam|first=Raheem|date=31 July 2016|access-date=3 August 2016}}
• David Kurten, London-wide Member of the London Assembly
• Peter Whittle, Leader of UKIP in the London Assembly and London-wide Member of the London Assembly (deputy campaign chair){{cite news|url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/redbox/topic/ukip-conference/steven-woolfes-ukip-can-deliver-the-british-dream|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806234951/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/redbox/topic/ukip-conference/steven-woolfes-ukip-can-deliver-the-british-dream|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 August 2016|title=Steven Woolfe's Ukip can deliver the British dream|newspaper=The Times|last=Whittle|first=Peter|date=15 July 2016|access-date=15 July 2016}}{{cite tweet |user=Steven_Woolfe |number=753898274076123136|title=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… |via=Twitter|last=Woolfe|first=Steven|date=15 July 2016|access-date=17 July 2016}}

Organisations

• Leave.EU{{cite web|url=http://leave.eu/en/news/0/steven-woolfe-for-ukip-leader|title=Steven Woolfe for UKIP leader|publisher=Leave.EU|date=18 July 2016|access-date=18 July 2016}}

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.{{cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/688739/Ukip-leadership-election-how-contest-work-when-new-leader-elected-Nigel-Farage-replaced|title=How does Ukip's leadership election work? When is the leader elected?|newspaper=Daily Express|last=Foster|first=Alice|date=21 July 2016|access-date=15 July 2016}} On 16 September, Diane James was elected leader of the party. When notifying the Electoral Commission of this, James signed the papers with "vi coactus" under her signature which meant the Electoral Commission were unable to process the change of leadership officially.{{cite web | url=https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/politics/resignation-reluctant-ukip-leader-diane-james-paves-way-new-ballot-fresh-infighting/ | title=The Latin phrase that confirmed Diane James' doubts about Ukip | date=5 October 2016 }}

On 4 October 2016, 18 days after being elected, James resigned the party leadership, precipitating another election. Nigel Farage became interim leader as he was still officially recognised by the Electoral Commission as the UKIP leader due to the processing issues related to James' election.{{cite web | url=https://www.politico.eu/article/nigel-farage-i-am-probably-still-ukip-leader/ | title=Nigel Farage confirms he is still UKIP leader | date=5 October 2016 }}

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.

• 2016 Conservative Party leadership election
• 2016 Green Party of England and Wales leadership election
• 2016 Labour Party leadership election (UK)

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Category:Consequences of the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum

Category:2016 in British politics

2016

Category:September 2016 in the United Kingdom

UK Independence Party leadership election