New | UKIP chief Diane James quits as party leader after just 18 days in top job, citing lack of support
UKIP emerged as a serious political force under Nigel Farage, who tapped into a strong anti-establishment mood to drum up support
Britain’s eurosceptic UK Independence Party was thrown into turmoil on Tuesday as its leader Diane James quit, citing “personal and professional reasons” for stepping down just 18 days after her election.
“It has become clear that I do not have sufficient authority, nor the full support of all my MEP colleagues and party officers to implement changes I believe necessary and upon which I based my campaign,” James said in a statement published on her Twitter account.
“For personal and professional reasons, therefore, I will not take the election process further,” she added, explaining she would not formalise the leadership process with the UK Electoral Commission.
James said she would continue her work as a UKIP member of European Parliament, dampening earlier speculation that she would also be resigning from her EU role.
It has become clear that I do not have sufficient authority, nor the full support of all my MEP colleagues
The Times newspaper said James felt shaken after being spat at on a train last week and was additionally reluctant to lead UKIP without assurances about the party’s funding.
