Farage Out: UKIP Leader Quits Less Than Two Weeks After Brexit Win

A law firm acting on behalf of businesses and academics is launching a challenge to ensure Britain does not leave the European Union without parliamentary sanction, while Monday saw a happy Nigel Farage resign as leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP). But I repeat the point, I’m not a career politician, I came into this from business because I wanted my country back.

There has been a mixed reaction to the news of Farage’s resignation already, with Douglas Carswell, Ukip’s only MP, tweeting a smiley face emoji. “What I’m saying today is I want my life back, and it begins right now”, Farage told reporters. “Now he feels it’s time for new blood”, he said.

“Farage and his UKIP partly leave Malaysians in fits of laughter”, Malaysia’s Star Online said, as it carried the picture of Farage under the banner.

Nigel Farage stepped down this morning saying “the victory for the “Leave” side in the referendum means that my political ambition has been achieved”. That move opened the way for a leadership contest in the ruling Conservative Party.

Farage’s exit comes just days after Boris Johnson, another Brexit leader, said he would not run for Conservative party leader.

Mr Farage sees this as a chance for UKIP – which now only has one MP in the United Kingdom parliament – to establish more of a foothold. I’m like Nigel, I don’t want to be in politics.

The party’s National Executive Committee received his resignation and approved Mr Farage’s appointment of Mr Oakden at a meeting on Monday.

Shortly after hearing of Mr Farage’s decision, radio talk show host O’Brien questioned who will now be held accountable for the Leave vote and its aftermath.

Farage and the UKIP have taken a hard line against immigration and the EU’s emphasis on freedom of movement, calling for stricter measures at the border. “We want our country back, we want our independence”.

He said that he was not interested in running for the party leadership, adding: ‘I think I can help ensure that Ukip veers away from the temptations of angry nativism.

It’s unclear what’s next for Farage, although he said he would consider to serve as a Member of the European Parliament until Britain leaves the EU.

After a string of failed attempts to get into the Commons, he said standing in 2020 was “not on my bucket list”.

Ukip chairman Steve Crowther announced that he is stepping down from the role, with Paul Oakden appointed as a temporary replacement until the new leader is chosen in September.