Ukip split as Farage critics choose their own candidate
UKIP’S civil war was reignited yesterday after Nigel Farage’s most vocal internal critics backed a little-known councillor for the leadership and demanded an end to its “rugby club” image.
Lisa Duffy, a Ukip councillor for Ramsey, in Cambridgeshire, won the endorsement of Suzanne Evans, the former chairman, and is also backed by MEP Patrick O’Flynn – for whom she acts as chief of staff – both of whom criticised Mr Farage last summer.
The unexpected move sets up a heated leadership battle over the direction of the party after Mr Farage’s backers supported Steven Woolfe, an MEP who has remained loyal during previous splits.
Ms Evans, who was briefly leader last summer, said she had “given up hope” of regaining the post after Mr Farage stepped down following the EU referendum. She said Ukip was “the most successful political party of the 21st century” but must now change to appeal to voters after the country backed Brexit.
Ms Evans has been dogged by an internal battle with Ukip figures in the past year after she was stripped of party membership in a move that she challenged in court.
Her latest move raised speculation that Ms Duffy could be a stalking horse for Ms Evans or another challenger to enter at a later date.