LORD Pearson of Rannoch quit as leader of the UK Independence Party yesterday, insisting he was not good enough for the job.
In a resignation notable for its honesty, the peer who only took over in November said the party “deserved someone better” to put the case for leaving the European Union.
He had a difficult general election, telling one interviewer he could not recall his own manifesto in detail.
The decision could pave the way for a shock return by Nigel Farage, who quit as leader to concentrate on his failed attempt to oust Commons Speaker John Bercow as an MP. Euro MP David Campbell Bannerman, Ukip’s popular deputy leader and manifesto writer, is also in the frame with an interim leader likely to be chosen at next month’s annual party conference.
Lord Pearson said: “I took over as leader of Ukip last year to see the party through the General Election and said I would then consider my position. We increased our vote by 50 per cent and have many exciting plans for the future.
“But I have learnt that I am not much good at party politics, which I do not enjoy. I am also 68, and need to give more time to my wider interests.
“So it is right that I should stand down on September 2, early in the Parliament, to give a younger leader time to be established before the next election, which may come sooner than we think. There is no shortage of talent in Ukip and the new leader will have my full support.
“Ukip deserves a better politician than me to lead it and show the country how liberating and enriching life would be outside the EU. I am confident that one will emerge.”
Mr Farage, who suffered serious injuries in a plane crash on polling day, did not rule out standing again.
source: The daily Express
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