Exit talks must start soon, says new Ukip chief
The little-known member of the European Parliament elected as the new leader of the UK Independence party (Ukip) yesterday says British Prime Minister Theresa May should ‘‘get on with’’ Brexit talks with the European Union.
Diane James, 56, attacked May during her first speech in the post, telling Ukip members that she was not ‘‘Nigel lite’’ or even ‘‘Nigellike’’ as she took the mantle from her ally, outgoing leader Nigel Farage.
She swept 47 per cent of the vote on a turnout of about 50 per cent, beating Lisa Duffy, a candidate backed by the anti-Farage faction, who came second with 26 per cent.
James, the bookmakers’ favourite, stood on pledges to maintain a ‘‘laser focus’’ on Brexit negotiations and to professionalise the party.
Although she was the bestknown of the five candidates, a poll by BMG Research last month revealed that 85 per cent of the British public had not heard of her.
A former Conservative, she called on May to ‘‘invoke Article 50 – get on with it’’ in her speech at Ukip’s annual conference in Bournemouth.
James, who is Ukip’s deputy chairwoman and an MEP for the southeast, dubbed the prime minister ‘‘Magpie May’’ and accused her of ‘‘stealing’’ Ukip policies.
She also set out her red lines on Brexit, serving notice that she would oppose ‘‘associate membership’’ of the EU, single market controls and unrestricted freedom of movement.
Paying tribute to Farage, conceded that she would be frank than him.
James faces a battle to unify the party following months of infighting.
In one of her first acts as leader, however, she wiped Neil Hamilton from the conference billing. She has a rancorous relationship with the former Tory MP and Ukip Welsh Assembly member. A party official also scribbled out the names of Hamilton and his wife Christine on a wall of support in the conference centre.
James is regarded as a cautious but presentable media performer. She caused controversy last year by praising Russian President Vladimir Putin for his ‘‘nationalist’’ leadership.
Her election was announced after Farage gave a rousing final speech as the party’s leader. Issuing a call for unity, he said that Ukip must change its management structure and guard against careerists who did not put the country’s interests before their own.
He set out his vision for a postBrexit Britain, saying it must regain its territorial fishing waters and introduce new UK passports. He also made it clear that he does not intend to leave politics or seek a lower profile. she less