Axed former Ukip chief Henry Bolton planning to set up new party
2 min read
Henry Bolton is setting up a new party, just weeks after he was booted out as leader of Ukip.
The ex-Army officer said the new party - called One Nation - would “mirror some of the changes” he sought for Ukip and “campaign unceasingly for our full independence from the EU”.
Mr Bolton became Ukip's fourth leader in 18 months when he took over last September.
But he was ousted by party members last month at an emergency general meeting, which was called after he refused to resign over racist messages sent by his 25-year-old glamour model partner, Jo Marney.
In a statement, Mr Bolton said there was "an urgent need for a 100% Leave party willing and able to contribute constructively towards determining that the trajectory the UK follows upon leaving the European Union and beyond".
When asked why a new party was needed, Mr Bolton told the BBC his new outfit would talk Britain up, rather than down – a position he claimed Ukip held until 2016’s referendum.
He said: "There is a need for a truly professional political party that believes in Britain, that preserves our national identity, culture, heritage and confidence and talks our great nation up rather than down; a party dedicated to the full independence of the UK in all areas of law, government and public administration."
MEP Gerard Batten has taken over as interim leader of Ukip, with a new leader to be elected within 90 days.
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
