'Country needs strong Ukip more than ever'

Paul Nuttall

UKIP MEP Paul Nuttall has been elected the party's leader in a contest to replace Nigel Farage.

The election was the second in the space of a few months, following previous victor Diane James's decision to step down after just 18 days in the job.

Mr Nuttall took 62.6 per cent of the vote, beating former deputy chairwoman Suzanne Evans, and ex-soldier John Rees-Evans.

The new leader has been MEP for North West England since 2009 and has served as Ukip's chairman and deputy leader.

Born on Merseyside, he is regarded as well-placed to poach northern working-class voters from Labour.

Of the 32,757 ballot papers sent out, 15,405 were returned with the lion's share going to Mr Nuttall, while Ms Evans secured 19.3 per cent of the vote, and 18.1 per cent went to Mr Rees-Evans.

Mr Nuttall promised to unite Ukip and "hold the government's feet to the fire" over the delivery of Brexit.

"The country needs a strong Ukip more now than ever before, for if Ukip ceases to be an electoral force, there will be no impetus on Theresa May and her government to give us real Brexit and we will end up with some mealy-mouthed, backsliding version," he said.

"This will be a betrayal of the British people and a united Ukip under my leadership will never, ever allow that to happen."

He made clear his sights are on poaching votes from Labour, arguing that the party under Jeremy Corbyn was more interested in "dinner party" topics like climate change and fair trade than the interests of their working class voters, such as immigration and social mobility.

"I want to replace the Labour Party and make Ukip the voice of patriotic Britain," he said.

"Ukip's future is bright but for it to be so, Ukip must unite. Today's result has ensured that it will."

Mr Farage agreed that the new leader should focus on winning votes from Labour, arguing that there were seats from the Midlands to the North where a majority of Labour supporters voted for Brexit.

"Old Labour voters have absolutely nowhere else to go other than to come to Ukip," said the outgoing leader.

Mr Farage promised not to be "a back seat driver" but promised he would be available to offer support to the new leader if asked.

He said he would serve out his term in the European Parliament until 2019.

But more imminently, he was this week "going off to the USA - but you will understand, purely as a tourist".

Mr Farage warned: "If there isn't a significant electoral threat - and that can only frankly come from Ukip - then the chances are that what we voted for in that referendum will now be significantly watered down. That must not be allowed to happen."

The outgoing leader said Ukip was in a good position to thrive under its new leader.

"I think everything is to play for and I am happy and confident that I'm handing this over at a good time," he said.

Mr Nuttall named London Assembly member and former leadership candidate Peter Whittle as his deputy.

Labour campaign co-ordinator Jon Trickett said: "You only need to know one thing about Ukip's new leader, Paul Nuttall ­- he wants privatisation in the NHS.

"Paul Nuttall has welcomed privatisation of the health service, arguing that 'the very existence of the NHS stifles competition'. By electing Paul Nuttall as their leader, Ukip have sent a clear message that they pose a threat to our NHS."

A Conservative Party spokesman said: "Ukip are too divided, distracted and incompetent to offer any serious solutions for the people of Britain.

"It's the Conservative Party which will deliver Brexit and more control on immigration."

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: "Ukip do not speak for Britain, and their brand of reactionary, divisive politics threatens the character and cohesion of our society. There is nothing patriotic in stoking up hatred and mistrust of our neighbours."