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	~~The~~ ~~'''~~]~~''' is a British ], founded in 1993.~~		#REDIRECT ]

	==Founding and early years==
	]
	UKIP was founded in 1993 by ] and other members of the cross-party ], a political party set up in November 1991 with the aim of fielding candidates opposed to the ].<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.torbayukip.co.uk/about%20ukip.htm \| title=About UKIP}}</ref> The nascent party's primary objective was withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. It attracted a few members of the Eurosceptic wing of the Conservative Party, which was split on the European question after the ] was forced out of the ] in 1992 and the struggle over ratification of the Maastricht Treaty. UKIP candidates stood in the ], but were overshadowed by ]'s ]. (The Referendum Party contested 547 seats. In the 165 seats contested by both, the Referendum Party beat UKIP in all but two - Romsey and Glasgow Anniesland, the latter by just two votes.)<ref>Robert Ford and Matthew Goodwin, ''Revolt on the Right'', p30 and p56. Routledge (2014)</ref>

	After the election, Sked resigned from the leadership and left the party because, he said, it contained members who "are racist and have been infected by the far-right"<ref name="sked_ukip_racist">{{cite news\| url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/feb/06/otherparties.politicalcolumnists \| location=London \| work=The Guardian \| first=Nick \| last=Cohen \| title=Nick Cohen: No truth behind Veritas \| date=6 February 2005}}</ref> and was "doomed to remain on the political fringes".<ref>{{cite news\| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-13041762 \| location=London \| work=BBC \| title = Scottish election: UK Independence Party profile \| date=13 April 2011}}</ref> However, Goldsmith died soon after the election and the Referendum Party was dissolved, with a resulting influx of new UKIP supporters. The leadership election was won by the millionaire businessman ], and in the ] UKIP gained three seats and 7% of the vote. In that election, ] (]), ] (]) and Michael Holmes (]) were elected.

	Over the following months there was a power struggle between Holmes and the party's National Executive Committee (NEC). This was partly due to Holmes making a speech perceived as calling for greater powers for the European Parliament against the ]. Ordinary party members forced the resignation of both Holmes and the entire NEC, and Jeffrey Titford was subsequently elected leader. After Holmes resigned from the party itself in March 2000,<ref>{{cite news\| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/684384.stm \| location=London \| work=BBC News\| title = Former UKIP leader quits party\| date=21 March 2000}}</ref> there was a legal battle when he tried to continue as an independent MEP until he resigned from the European Parliament in December 2002. Holmes was then replaced by ], the second candidate on the UKIP list in South West England.

	UKIP put up candidates in more than 420 seats in the ], attaining 1.5% of the vote and failing to win any representation at Westminster. It also failed to break through in the elections to the ] or the Welsh Assembly, despite those elections being held under ]. In 2002, Titford stood down as party leader, but continued to sit as a UKIP MEP. He was replaced as leader by ]. In 2004 UKIP reorganised itself nationally as a ], with the legal name of United Kingdom Independence Party Limited, though branches remained as ].<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/ \|title=Companies House WebCHeck - UNITED KINGDOM INDEPENDENCE PARTY LIMITED \|id=Company No. 05090691 \|publisher=Companies House \|accessdate=13 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2011/1204.html \|title=(1) UK Independence Party Limited, (2) Gordon Howard Parkin v. Alan Hardy \|publisher=Royal Courts of Justice \|id= EWCA Civ 1204 \|date=26 October 2011 \|accessdate=13 September 2013}}</ref>

	==2004 to 2012==

	===2004 European elections and 2005 general election===
	], leader of the party, (2006–2009; 2010–2016)]]
	In the ] UKIP came third with 12 MEPs being elected. In the ] the same year, UKIP won two London Assembly seats.

	In late 2004, the mainstream UK press speculated on if or when the UKIP MEP, former ] MP and chat-show host ] would take control of the party. These comments were heightened by Kilroy-Silk's speech at the UKIP party conference in Bristol on 2 October 2004, in which he called for the ] to be "killed off" following the ], where UKIP finished third (with 10.2%) above the Conservatives in fourth (9.7%).

	Interviewed by ] television, Kilroy-Silk did not deny having ambitions to lead the party, but stressed that Roger Knapman would lead it into the next general election.{{citation needed\|date=August 2013}} However, the next day, on ''Breakfast with ]'', he criticised Knapman's leadership.<ref>, ''Daily Telegraph'', 3 October 2004</ref> After further disagreement with the leadership, Kilroy-Silk resigned the UKIP whip in the European Parliament on 27 October 2004.<ref>, ''BBC News'', 27 October 2004<br>Matthew Tempest, ''Guardian online'', 27 October 2004</ref> Initially, he remained a member, while seeking a bid for the party leadership. However, this was not successful and he resigned completely from UKIP on 20 January 2005, calling it a "joke".<ref>, ''BBC News'', 21 January 2005</ref> Two weeks later, he founded his own party, ], taking a number of UKIP members, including both of the London Assembly members, with him.<ref>Martin Hoscik, , ''MayorWatch'', 23 March 2011</ref>

	In the ], UKIP fielded 495 candidates and gained 618,000 votes, or 2.3% of the total votes cast in the election, and did not win a seat in the House of Commons. This result placed it fourth in terms of votes cast nationally.<ref name="ElectCom">The Electoral Commission, , page 8, March 2006</ref> Its best performance was in ], where Richard Horsnell came third with 9.6% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news\| title=Result: Boston & Skegness \| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/vote2005/html/77.stm \| work=BBC News}}</ref>

	Following the 2005 general election, Kilroy-Silk resigned from Veritas after its performance in the election, the party having received only 40,607 votes.<ref name="ElectCom"/> In April 2006 ], during a phone-in on London's ] radio station, described UKIP members as being "fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists, mostly."<ref>, BBC News, 4 April 2006</ref> Farage asked for an apology. but Cameron did not back down.<ref>Ros Taylor , theguardian.com, 4 April 2006</ref> On 12 September 2006, Farage was ] with 45% of the vote, 20% ahead of his nearest rival.

	===2009 European elections===
	{{Main article\|European Parliament election, 2009 (United Kingdom)}}
	], Surrey, for the 2009 European elections]]
	On 28 March 2009, the Conservative Party's biggest-ever donor, ], donated £100,000 to UKIP after criticising ]'s stance towards the ] and the European Union. He said, "If they kick me out I will understand. I will be very sorry about it, but it won't alter my stance."<ref>{{Cite news\| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5996975.ece \| work=The Times \| location=London \| title=Tory donor Stuart Wheeler faces expulsion over UKIP support \| first1=Sam \| last1=Coates \| date=29 March 2009 \| accessdate=29 March 2010}}</ref> The following day, 29 March, he was expelled from the Conservative Party.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7971102.stm \|title=UK \| Tory party to expel donor Wheeler \|work=BBC News \|date=29 March 2009 \|accessdate=13 April 2010}}</ref>

	The 2009 European elections resulted in UKIP coming second with 16.5% of the vote and 13 ]s, an increase of one MEP and 0.3% in the share of the vote compared to the 2004 European Elections.<ref>{{cite news\|title=European Elections 2009, UK results\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/elections/euro/09/html/ukregion_999999.stm\|work=BBC News\|accessdate=27 August 2013\|date=19 April 2009}}</ref>

	===2009 leadership election===
	{{Main article\|UK Independence Party leadership election, 2009}}
	In September 2009, Nigel Farage announced that he would be resigning as leader of the party in order to stand for Parliament against the ], ].<ref>{{Cite news\| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8235626.stm \| title=Farage to stand against Speaker \| publisher=BBC News \| date=3 September 2009 \| location=London}}</ref> The leadership election was contested by five candidates - ], ], ], ] and Alan Wood - and was won by ] with just under half of the 9900 votes cast <ref>{{cite news\|title=Lord Pearson elected leader of UK Independence Party\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8381992.stm\|work=BBC News\|accessdate=27 August 2013\|date=27 November 2009}}</ref>

	===2010 general election===
	{{Main article\|UK Independence Party election results}}
	]]]
	UKIP fielded 572 candidates in the ];.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Tories fear Ukip could cause as much harm as SDP did to Labour\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/mar/01/tories-ukip-harm-sdp-labour\|accessdate=30 August 2013\|newspaper=The Guardian\|date=1 March 2013}}</ref> ] asked some prospective candidates to stand down in favour of Eurosceptic Conservative and Labour MPs. However, some refused to do so.{{citation needed\|date=August 2013}} This did not stop Lord Pearson from campaigning on behalf of the Conservative candidates stating that he was "putting country before party". These decisions drew some criticism from within the party from the likes of Michael Heaver of Young Independence.{{citation needed\|date=August 2013}}

	On the morning of polling day, Farage was injured while flying as a passenger in a light aircraft which crashed near ], ].<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/northamptonshire/8664260.stm \|title=Nigel Farage injured in plane crash on election day \|work=BBC News \|date=6 May 2010 \|accessdate=18 May 2010}}</ref>

	In the election the party polled 3.1% of the vote (919,471 votes), an increase of 0.9% on the 2005 general election, but took no seats.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/elections/results/general_elections \|title=Electoral Commission website \|publisher=Electoralcommission.org.uk \|accessdate=30 November 2010}}</ref> This made it the party with the largest percentage of the popular vote to win no seats in the election.<ref>{{Cite news\| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/election2010/results/ \| work=BBC News \| title=Election 2010 \| accessdate=26 May 2010}}</ref>

	In Buckingham, the seat of the ] ], Farage obtained 17% of the vote, despite receiving some level of support from Lord Tebbit, a senior Conservatives figure.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Lord Tebbit challenges backing for Speaker John Bercow\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8554010.stm\|accessdate=26 September 2013\|work=BBC News\|date=7 March 2010}}</ref> Farage came third behind Bercow and ], the Buckinghamshire Campaign For Democracy candidate,<ref>Electoral Commission, </ref> a Europhile and former Conservative MEP.<ref>Emily Andres & Andy Dolan, , ''Daily Mail'', 7 May 2010</ref> UKIP was also third in three other constituencies: ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web\|last=Wells\|first=Anthony\|title=TORRIDGE AND WEST DEVON\|url=http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/2015guide/devonwestandtorridge/\|publisher=UK Polling Report\|accessdate=26 September 2013}}</ref> Farage's result was the best of all UKIP candidates that the party put forward in the 2010 general election.<ref>{{cite web\|title=2010 General Election Results\|url=http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/excel_doc/0020/105725/GE2010-constituency-results-website.xls\|publisher=Electoral Commission\|accessdate=26 September 2013}}</ref>

	===2010 leadership election===
	{{Main article\|UK Independence Party leadership election, 2010}}
	Lord Pearson resigned as leader in August 2010.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/aug/17/lord-pearson-stands-down-as-ukip-leader \|work=The Guardian \|title=Lord Pearson stands down as Ukip leader because he is 'not much good' \|date= 17 August 2010 \|location=London \|first=Adam \|last=Gabbatt}}</ref> The subsequent leadership election was contested between Nigel Farage, ], ] and ] and won by ] with more than 60% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Nigel Farage re-elected to lead UK Independence Party\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11700220\|work=BBC News\|accessdate=27 August 2013\|date=5 November 2010}}</ref> During his acceptance speech, Farage spoke out against the leadership of the Conservative Party, and Conservative policy on Europe.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Nigel Farage returns as Ukip leader\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/nov/05/nigel-farage-elected-ukip-leader\|work=The Guardian\|accessdate=27 August 2013}}</ref> Lord Pearson, the previous leader, welcomed Farage's re-election, and said "The UKIP crown returns to its rightful owner."<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://news.sky.com/home/politics/article/15795811\|title=Nigel Farage Re-Elected UKIP Party Leader\|last=Barnett\|first=Ruth\|date=5 November 2010\|work=Sky News Online\|accessdate=11 December 2011}}</ref>

	===2011 and 2012===
	UKIP contested two ]s in early 2011, with candidate Jane Collins coming second in ] with 12.2% of the vote<ref>{{cite news\|title=Lib Dems slump to sixth as Labour win Barnsley poll\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12643639\|work=BBC News\|accessdate=27 August 2013\|date=4 March 2011}}</ref> and ] finishing fourth in ] with 5.8% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Labour celebrate victory in Oldham East by-election\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12187965\|work=BBC News\|accessdate=27 August 2013\|date=14 January 2011}}</ref>

	UKIP fielded 1,217 candidates for the 2011 local council elections, a major increase over its previous campaigns,{{citation needed\|date=August 2013}} but not enough to qualify for a party election broadcast on television.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.broadcastersliaisongroup.org.uk/criteria_may2011.html \|title=Broadcasters' Liaison Group - Qualification Criteria \|publisher=Broadcastersliaisongroup.org.uk \|date=5 May 2011 \|accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref> UKIP said that the party was well-organised in the South East, South West and Eastern regions, but there were still places across the country where there were no UKIP candidates standing at all.<ref>{{cite news\| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13135206 \| work=BBC News \| title=English local elections: UKIP hopes to make gains \| date=26 April 2011}}</ref>

	Across the country, many UKIP candidates came second or third. UKIP in ] gained a total of five seats on Newcastle Borough Council in 2007 and 2008 and three seats on ] County Council in 2009. Although UKIP did not poll well, it made gains across many parts of England, as well as taking control of Ramsey town council with nine UKIP councillors out of 17. Whilst UKIP made gains and losses, the party fell short of Farage's predictions of major gains. The UKIP MEP ] called for Farage's resignation as leader of the party.<ref name="BBC 2011">{{cite news\| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13348940 \| work=BBC News \| title=Call for UKIP's Nigel Farage to resign as double act turns sour \| date=10 May 2011}}</ref>

	In the ], UKIP put up 691 candidates in around 2500 local council election contests. Their average % vote share (weighted according to total votes cast) was 13%.<ref> {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513010825/http://www.theinformationdaily.com/2012/10/04/will-some-other-party-decide-general-election-2015 \|date=2015-05-13 }} \| The Information Daily</ref><ref> \| Channel 4 news</ref>

	In October 2012, ], a member of the ] who had been elected as an ], joined UKIP after being expelled from the ], becoming UKIPs second representative in Northern Ireland alongside ], a councillor in ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.u.tv/news/McNarry-joining-UKIP-after-UUP-departure/23e60e54-3857-4475-9aa3-89dc68e8aad6 \|title=McNarry joining UKIP after UUP departure \|work=UTV News \|date=4 October 2012 \|accessdate=3 July 2013}}</ref>

	On 29 November 2012, UKIP finished in second place in the ], with 4,648 votes (21.7% of the votes cast). This was the highest percentage share recorded by UKIP in any parliamentary election (although it had polled a greater ''number'' of votes in the 2012 ] and also in ] in the 2010 general election, where its candidate was Nigel Farage).<ref> Aylesbury Vale District Council</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/election2010/results/constituency/a79.stm \|title=Election 2010:Buckingham \|work=BBC News \|accessdate=3 July 2013}}</ref> Its candidate, Jane Collins, had previously been the only UKIP candidate to come second in any UK parliamentary election, at ] in 2011. UKIP also came second in 2012 in the ] and third in the ], which were held on the same day as Rotherham.

	During 2012 and early 2013, UKIP's popularity in ] increased, with many polls indicating that it had overtaken the Liberal Democrats for third place.<ref>See '']'' for detail, including a list of every opinion poll carried out in 2012.</ref>

	==2013 to 2016==
	] by European Parliamentary constituency. Each purple square represents an elected UKIP MEP.]]
	] in England. Districts where UKIP received the largest number of votes are shown in purple.]]

	In the ] on 28 February 2013, the UKIP candidate Diane James came second, polling the highest proportion and number of votes (27.8% and 11,571 respectively) that a UKIP parliamentary candidate had achieved to this point in time.

	===Local elections===
	UKIP put up a record number of candidates for the ] and in the run up to the election performed well in opinion polls,<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22328898 \|title=Local election 2013: Ken Clarke brands UKIP 'clowns' \|work=BBC News \|date=28 April 2013 \|accessdate=3 May 2013}}</ref> despite a number of controversies over individual candidates in the weeks before the elections.<ref>{{cite news\|author=Kevin Schofield \|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/politics/4905370/Fury-at-UKIP-fruit-loops-being-fielded-at-council-elections.html \|title=Fury at UKIP ‘fruit loops’ being fielded at council elections \|work=The Sun \|date=27 April 2013 \|accessdate=3 May 2013 \|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10378900.East_Sussex_UKIP_election_candidate_in_holocaust_storm/ \|title=Crowborough UKIP election candidate in holocaust storm \|work=The Argus \|date=25 April 2013 \|accessdate=3 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|last=Duffin \|first=Claire \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10027315/Ukip-candidate-PE-prevents-people-becoming-gay.html \|title=Ukip candidate: 'PE prevents people becoming gay' \|work=Daily Telegraph \|date=5 March 2013 \|accessdate=3 May 2013 \|location=London}}</ref>

	In the 2013 county council elections across England, the party achieved its best ever ] result, polling an average of 23% in the wards where it stood, and returning 147 elected councillors.<ref name="local">{{cite news\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ukip/10036463/Local-elections-2013-Nigel-Farages-Ukip-surges-to-best-ever-showing-winning-150-seats.html \|title=Local elections 2013: Nigel Farage's Ukip surges to best ever showing, winning 150 seats \|work=Daily Telegraph \|date=5 May 2013 \|accessdate=4 May 2013 \|location=London \|first=Christopher \|last=Hope}}</ref> It made significant gains in ], ] and ], taking 15, 16 and 17 seats respectively.<ref name=sn20130504>{{cite web\|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1086321/local-council-elections-ukip-make-big-gains \|title=Local Council Elections: UKIP Make Big Gains \|work=Sky News \|date=4 May 2013 \|accessdate=4 May 2013}}</ref>
	It was described as the best result for a party outside the ] in British politics since the ].<ref name="GuardianMay3">{{cite news\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/may/03/nigel-farage-ukip-change-british-politics\|title=Ukip will change face of British politics like SDP, says Nigel Farage\|date=3 May 2013\|newspaper=The Guardian\|location=London\|first=Nicholas\|last=Watt}}</ref>

	In ], UKIP won 163 seats, an increase of 128, but did not take control of any council.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Local elections 2014: results updated live\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2014/may/22/local-elections-2014-live-results-updated\|work=The Guardian\|accessdate=25 May 2014}}</ref>

	===2014 European elections===
	{{Main article\|European Parliament election, 2014 (United Kingdom)}}

	In March 2014, ] and the BBC awarded UKIP "major party status" for the ].<ref>'''', Ofcom, 3 March 2014</ref><ref>{{cite news\|author=Jason Groves\|title=Ukip must be treated as a major party and given more airtime in run-up to Euro elections, Ofcom orders TV channels\|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2572591/Treat-Ukip-major-party-Ofcom-orders-TV-channels-Regulator-says-success-previous-Euro-elections-Labour-Tories-Lib-Dems.html\|newspaper=Mail Online\|date=4 March 2014\|location=London}}</ref>

	UKIP received the greatest number of votes (27.49%) of any British party in the 2014 European Parliament election and gained 11 extra MEPs for a total of 24.<ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite news\|title=Vote 2014: UK European election results\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/events/vote2014/eu-uk-results\|date=26 May 2014\|agency=BBC News}}</ref> The party won seats in every region of ], including its first in Scotland.<ref name=breakthrough>{{cite news\|title=Farage: UKIP has 'momentum' and is targeting more victories\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27567744\|accessdate=27 May 2014\|newspaper=BBC News\|date=26 May 2014}}</ref> It was the first time in over a century that a party other than Labour or Conservatives won the most votes in a UK-wide election.<ref name=breakthrough/>

	===Parliamentary by-elections and first elected MPs===

	In the ], UKIP canididate John Bickley came second in the poll with 11,016 votes (38.7%), 2.2% behind the winner. The 36-point increase in UKIP support was one of the biggest increases in vote for a party in a by-election.<ref> \| Prof. John Curtice, The Independent</ref>

	UKIP gained its first elected MP with ] winning the seat of ] by 12,404 votes on 9 October 2014.<ref name="Clacton">, ''BBC News''. Accessed 10 October 2014.</ref> His 21,113 votes (59.75%) represented a 44% swing from the Conservative party, from whom Carswell had defected, his resignation having triggered the ].<ref name="Clacton"/>

	On 20 November 2014, ], who had also defected from the Conservatives and resigned his seat in order to trigger a by-election, was re-elected for UKIP in ].<ref name=reckless>, ''BBC News''. Accessed 22 November 2014</ref>

	UKIP gained its first elected MP with ] winning the seat of ] during a ].<ref name="Clacton">, ''BBC News''. Accessed 10 October 2014.</ref> Carswell had defected from the Conservatives, and gained 59.75% of the vote.<ref name="Clacton"/> In November fellow defector from the Conservatives, ], resigned his seat in order to trigger a by-election, before being re-elected for UKIP in ].<ref name=reckless>, ''BBC News''. Accessed 22 November 2014</ref> In the ], Carswell held his seat but Reckless lost his. UKIP's share of the vote nationally rose to 13%. Farage did not win the constituency of ] and briefly resigned as leader,<ref>{{cite news\|title=Nigel Farage resigns as UKIP leader as the party vote rises\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32633719\|accessdate=8 May 2015\|work=BBC News\|date=8 May 2015}}</ref> before the party's NEC rejected his resignation and he was re-instated as party leader.<ref>{{cite web\|title = Farage stays as UKIP leader after resignation rejected\|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32696505\|website = BBC News\|accessdate =11 May 2015}}</ref> In the ] held on the same day, UKIP took control of ].<ref name="Council">{{cite news \| title=Ukip Takes Control of Thanet Council the Day After Nigel Farage Lost MP Bid \| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ukip/11594819/Ukip-takes-control-of-Thanet-council-the-day-after-Nigel-Farage-lost-MP-bid.html \| date=9 May 2015 \| work=The Daily Telegraph \| accessdate=9 May 2015}}</ref>

	In the ], when the result was expected to be a ], the issue of ] (DUP, ] political party) and UKIP forming a ] with the ] was considered by Farage.<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Justice\|first1=Adam\|title=General Election 2015: Ukip could form coalition with Tories and DUP\|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/general-election-2015-ukip-could-form-coalition-tories-dup-1492489\|accessdate=29 March 2016\|work=International Business Times\|date=18 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|last1=Wilkinson\|first1=Michael\|title=Conservative Ukip coalition: what have the parties said\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11566274/Conservative-Ukip-coalition-what-have-the-parties-said.html\|accessdate=29 March 2016\|work=The Daily Telegraph\|date=5 May 2015}}</ref> The then Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the ], ], warned against this "Blukip" coalition, with a spoof website highlighting imagined policies from this coalition – such as reinstating the ], scrapping all benefits for under 25s and charging for hospital visits.<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Cromie\|first1=Claire\|title=Nick Clegg warns of rightwing 'Blukip' alliance of DUP, Ukip and the Conservatives\|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/nick-clegg-warns-of-rightwing-blukip-alliance-of-dup-ukip-and-the-conservatives-31147787.html\|accessdate=29 March 2016\|work=The Belfast Telegraph\|date=16 April 2015}}</ref> Additionally, issues were raised about the continued existence of the ] (as the DUP, UKIP and Conservatives had made a number of statements criticising the institution)<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Stone\|first1=Jon\|title=Tory coalition with DUP and Ukip could spell the end of the BBC as we know it\|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/tory-coalition-with-dup-and-ukip-could-spell-the-end-of-the-bbc-as-we-know-it-31177207.html\|accessdate=29 March 2016\|work=The Belfast Telegraph\|date=28 April 2015}}</ref> and support for ] and ], as the DUP are opposed to the institution<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Dunne\|first1=Ciara\|title=An alliance with the DUP will be a harder bargain than either Labour or the Tories think\|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/03/alliance-dup-will-be-harder-bargain-either-labour-or-tories-think\|accessdate=29 March 2016\|work=New Statesman\|date=16 March 2015}}</ref><ref name=JonesAttitude5May15>{{cite news\|last1=Stroude\|first1=Will\|title=Owen Jones warns of 'homophobic' DUP holding influence over future government\|url=http://attitude.co.uk/owen-jones-warns-of-homophobic-dup-holding-influence-over-future-government/\|accessdate=12 January 2016\|work=Attitude Magazine\|date=5 May 2015}}</ref> and UKIP had been involved in controversies over the alleged homophobia of its candidates in the past.<ref name=controversials>{{cite news\|author=Kevin Schofield \|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/politics/4905370/Fury-at-UKIP-fruit-loops-being-fielded-at-council-elections.html \|title=Fury at UKIP ‘fruit loops’ being fielded at council elections \|work=The Sun \|date=27 April 2013 \|accessdate=3 May 2013 \|location=London}}<br>- {{cite web\|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10378900.East_Sussex_UKIP_election_candidate_in_holocaust_storm/ \|title=Crowborough UKIP election candidate in holocaust storm \|work=The Argus \|date=25 April 2013 \|accessdate=3 July 2013}}<br>- {{cite news\|last=Duffin \|first=Claire \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10027315/Ukip-candidate-PE-prevents-people-becoming-gay.html \|title=Ukip candidate: 'PE prevents people becoming gay' \|work=Daily Telegraph \|date=5 March 2013 \|accessdate=3 May 2013 \|location=London}}</ref> Although UKIP's manifesto made no mention of ] or LGBT issues, the party offered a "Christian manifesto" which opposed same-sex marriage and offered legal protection for ]; however, the party said they did not wish to reverse it ].<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Smith\|first1=Lydia\|title=Election 2015: Which parties score best on LGBT rights?\|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/election-2015-which-parties-score-best-lgbt-rights-1499774\|accessdate=4 April 2016\|work=International Business Times\|date=5 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|last1=Mason\|first1=Rowena\|title=Ukip offers legal protection to Christians who oppose same-sex marriage\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/apr/28/ukip-christians-legal-protection-same-sex-marriage\|accessdate=4 April 2016\|work=The Guardian\|date=28 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|last1=Farage\|first1=Nigel\|title=Nigel Farage confirms that UKIP will not campaign to abolish same-sex marriage\|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/03/18/nigel-farage-confirms-that-ukip-will-not-abolish-same-sex-marriage/\|accessdate=4 April 2016\|work=PinkNews\|date=18 March 2014}}</ref>

	===Farage resignations===
	{{Recentism\|date=May 2016}}
	In the run-up to the ], Farage had said that he would resign as party leader if he did not win the seat of South Thanet.<ref>{{cite web\|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/nigel-farage/11467045/Nigel-Farage-If-I-lose-in-South-Thanet-its-curtains-for-me-I-will-have-to-quit-as-Ukip-leader.html\|title = Nigel Farage: If I lose in South Thanet, it's curtains for me: I will have to quit as Ukip leader\|date = 15 March 2015\|accessdate = 10 May 2015\|website = The Telegraph\|publisher = \|last = Farage\|first = Nigel\|authorlink = Nigel Farage}}</ref> After the election, on 8 May, Farage resigned at 11:22am saying that he is "going to take the summer off, enjoy myself a bit, not do much politics at all and there will be a leadership election for Ukip in September." He raised the possibility that he might stand in that election.<ref>{{cite web\|url = https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/52-minutes-shook-britain-miliband-5661173\|title = 52 minutes that shook Britain: Miliband, Clegg and Farage all resign in election bloodbath\|date = 8 May 2015\|accessdate = 10 May 2015\|website = Mirror\|publisher = \|last = Bloom\|first = Dan}}</ref> However, he was reinstated three days later when the party's NEC unanimously rejected his resignation.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32734220 \|title=UKIP rocked by Nigel Farage leadership row \|website= BBC News \|publisher= \|date=14 May 2015 \|accessdate=13 October 2015}}</ref>

	A row within the party then began over the refusal by ], the party's only MP, to take the full ] allocated to UKIP. There were subsequent briefings critical of Carswell and then, in turn, of Farage.<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/> MEP ], in particular, was critical of Farage and two of his advisers in an interview in '']'' in which he described Farage as a "snarling, thin-skinned, aggressive man", although he later said he wanted Farage to stay leader. The two aides, Matthew Richardson and Farage's chief of staff, ], later quit.<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/> UKIP donor ] said he would like Farage "to step down at least for the moment", while other sources called for a leadership contest, but ], a possible successor, gave Farage her support.<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/> On 14 May, Farage ruled out resigning, saying it was the wrong time for the party to have a leadership election and that he had great support within the party.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32746300 \|title=UKIP's Nigel Farage rules out quitting as leader \|work= BBC News \|publisher= \|date=15 May 2015 \|accessdate=13 October 2015}}</ref>

	Some within the party called for him to take a 'short break', including Douglas Carswell and Suzanne Evans, the latter adding that "two weeks’ holiday would be enough".<ref>{{cite news\|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nigel-farage-under-renewed-pressure-to-take-break-from-ukip-leadership-10256810.html\|title = Nigel Farage under renewed pressure to take break from Ukip leadership\|date = 17 May 2015\|accessdate = 17 May 2015\|website = The Independent\|publisher = \|last = McSmith\|first = Andy}}</ref> O'Flynn subsequently resigned from his economics role in the party, while Evans' contract for her policy role came to an end. Richardson was re-instated in June 2015.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-33145753 \|title=Ex-UKIP party secretary Matt Richardson returns to role \|work=BBC News \|publisher= \|date=16 June 2015 \|accessdate=13 October 2015}}</ref> No candidates declared their intention to stand during the time Farage resigned and was reinstated as leader three days later, although media speculation identified several possible candidates.<ref>{{cite news\|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/who-will-be-the-next-ukip-leader-after-nigel-farage-resigns-10235746.html\|title = Who will be the next Ukip leader after Nigel Farage resigns?\|date = 8 May 2015\|accessdate = 10 May 2015\|website = The Independent\|publisher = \|last = McIntyre\|first = Sophie}}</ref>

	Following a worse-than-expected result in the ], Carswell told the BBC that the Party needs a "fresh face" as leader, and called for UKIP to become a party that is not seen as "unpleasant" and "socially illiberal".<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35121684 \|title=Douglas Carswell: UKIP needs a 'fresh face' as leader \|publisher=BBC News \|accessdate=2016-02-23}}</ref> As a consequence, Carswell was asked to explain himself at the Party executive committee's January 2016 meeting.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Ross \|first=Tim \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ukip/12059434/Douglas-Carswell-faces-showdown-with-Ukip-chiefs-over-Farage-leadership-row.html \|title=Douglas Carswell faces showdown with Ukip chiefs over Farage leadership row \|work=Daily Telegraph \|date=19 December 2015 \|accessdate=23 February 2016}}</ref>

	In 2016 ], UKIP nearly tripled their share of votes (from 4,7 per cent to 12,5 per cent) and won seven seats.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2016-wales-36207410\|title=Welsh Election 2016: Labour just short as UKIP wins seats - BBC News\|publisher=}}</ref> After the election, ] was elected leader of the UKIP group in the Assembly. UKIP also won two seats in the London Assembly, giving the party its first representation there since 2005. However, they won no seats in the Scottish Parliament, and lost the seat in the ] that they had gained by defection, coming within 105 votes of retaining it, in ].<ref name="newsletter.co.uk">{{cite web\|url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/northern-ireland-news/video-ukip-man-says-we-could-have-done-no-more-after-almost-seizing-east-antrim-seat-1-7370649\|title=VIDEO: UKIP man says ‘we could have done no more’ after almost seizing East Antrim seat\|publisher=}}</ref> They made some gains in the local elections, increasing their councillor numbers by 25, although they came fourth on projected national vote share, behind the Liberal Democrats.

	Farage resigned as UKIP leader on 4 July 2016 with the following comment, "During the referendum I said I wanted my country back … now I want my life back"<ref>{{cite news \|last=Mason \|first=Rowena \|date=4 July 2016 \|title=Nigel Farage resigns as Ukip leader after 'achieving political ambition' of Brexit \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/04/nigel-farage-resigns-as-ukip-leader \|newspaper=The Guardian \|location=London, UK \|access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref> and added that this resignation was final: "I won’t be changing my mind again, I can promise you",<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-04/farage-resigns-as-ukip-leader-adding-to-brexit-political-turmoil \|title=Farage Resigns as UKIP Leader After Brexit Vote \|last=Kennedy \|first=Simon \|date=4 July 2016 \|website=Bloomberg \|publisher=Bloomberg L.P. \|access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref> apparently referring to two previous withdrawals of his resignation (in 2009 and 2015).<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/07/brexit-ukip-leader-nigel-farage-resigns-160704091835096.html \|title=Brexit: UKIP leader Nigel Farage resigns \|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> \|date=4 July 2016 \|website=Al Jazeera English \|publisher=Al Jazeera \|access-date= \|quote=After running divisive campaign to leave the EU, Farage quits, while Britain faces economic and political challenges.}}</ref>

	By 5 July 2016, some political analysts questioned how UKIP will sustain itself now that the "driving issue" (leaving the EU) was no longer relevant. An article in ] indicated that this would be "the first issue on the agenda for Farage's successor, as well as trying to influence the terms by which Britain leaves the EU."<ref>{{cite news \|last=Dunford \|first=Daniel \|date=5 July 2016 \|title=Who are the favourites to be the next Ukip leader? \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/04/who-are-the-favourites-to-be-the-next-ukip-leader/ \|newspaper=The Telegraph \|location=London, UK \|access-date=5 July 2016}}</ref>

	The referendum produced a majority in favour of leaving the EU: the accomplishment of UKIP's ''raison d'être'' raised questions about the party's future.{{sfn\|Usherwood\|2016a\|p=27}} The loss of its MEPs would result in the loss of its primary institutional representation and a key source of its funding.{{sfn\|Usherwood\|2016a\|p=29}}

	==Post Brexit 2017–present==
	{{Main article\|UK Independence Party leadership election, September 2016}}
	{{Main article\|UK Independence Party leadership election, November 2016}}
	{{Main article\|UK Independence Party leadership election, 2017}}
	{{Main article\|UK Independence Party leadership election, 2018}}

	After the referendum, Farage resigned as UKIP leader.<ref>{{cite news \|last=Mason \|first=Rowena \|date=4 July 2016 \|title=Nigel Farage resigns as Ukip leader after 'achieving political ambition' of Brexit \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/04/nigel-farage-resigns-as-ukip-leader \|newspaper=The Guardian \|location=London, UK \|access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref> ] was elected as his successor,<ref>{{cite article \|title=Diane James becomes UKIP leader \|date=16 September 2016 \|website=BBC News \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37387162}}</ref> but resigned after 18 days.<ref>{{cite article \|title=UKIP leader Diane James standing down \|website=BBC News \|date=4 October 2016 \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37558485 }}</ref> On 21 November 2016, James announced that she was leaving UKIP and would henceforth sit as an Independent.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Mason\|first=Rowena\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/nov/21/diane-james-quits-ukip\|title=Diane James quits Ukip, saying relations soured after she quit as leader\|work=The Guardian\|date=21 November 2016\|accessdate=21 November 2016}}</ref>
	an other Leadership candidate ] subsequently resigned from UKIP in October 2016, describing the party as "ungovernable". he is also sitting as an Independent.<ref>{{cite web\|author=Steven Woolfe \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/17/ukip-is-ungovernable-i-hoped-to-be-leader---instead-today-i-quit/ \|title=Ukip is ungovernable. I hoped to be leader - instead, today I quit the party \|publisher=Daily Telegraph \|date=2016-10-17 \|accessdate=2017-07-06}}</ref>

	In November, Farage's former Deputy, ], was elected leader and pledged to win votes away from Labour.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38125432\|title=Paul Nuttall elected as UKIP leader\|publisher=BBC News\|date=28 November 2016\|accessdate=28 November 2016}}</ref> In March 2017, the party's only ], ], left the party to sit as an independent.<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39393213\|title=Douglas Carswell quitting UKIP\|date=25 March 2017\|publisher=\|accessdate=25 March 2017\|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/matthewchampion/ukips-only-mp-douglas-carswell-says-he-is-quitting-the-party \|title=UKIP's Only MP Douglas Carswell Says He Is Quitting The Party - BuzzFeed News \|publisher=Buzzfeed.com \|date= \|accessdate=2017-03-27}}</ref>

	Invocation of Article 50 by the United Kingdom occurred on 29 March 2017, when ], the ], formally delivered by hand a letter signed by Prime Minister Theresa May to ], the ] in ].<ref name="Adler">{{cite news\|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-politics-39424391?&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=58db9a00e4b04343cfc3890f%26Article%2050%20letter%20handed%20over%26&ns_fee=0#post_58db9a00e4b04343cfc3890f\|title=Theresa May officially starts Brexit process; Article 50 letter handed over\|last=Adler\|first=Katya\|date=29 March 2017\|work=BBC News\|accessdate=29 March 2017}}</ref> This means that the UK will cease to be a member of the EU at midnight on 30 March 2019, unless an extension to negotiations is agreed by the UK and EU.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/article-brexit-recap-theresa-ambassador-10118594\|first=Dan\|last=Bloom\|title=Brexit Day recap: Article 50 officially triggered on historic day as Theresa May warns: 'No turning back'\|date=29 March 2017\|accessdate=29 March 2017\|newspaper=Daily Mirror}}</ref>

	In the ], UKIP lost all of the 145 seats it was defending but gained one from Labour on ].<ref name="BBC News 5 May 2017">{{cite web \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39815444\|title= Local elections: UKIP suffers big losses across England \|author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> \|date= 5 May 2017\|website= ] \|publisher= BBC \| accessdate= 5 May 2017}}</ref>

	These results have led to talks by prominent former members of the party that UKIP is finished and should disband.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/05/ukip-finished-electoral-force-says-biggest-donor-arron-banks/ \|title=Ukip is 'finished as an electoral force' says biggest donor Arron Banks after local election wipeout \|publisher=Daily Telegraph \|date=2017-05-05 \|accessdate=2017-07-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|author=Simon Jenkins \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/05/ukip-brexit-theresa-may \|title=Ukip got what it wanted. Time to disband \|publisher=The Guardian \|date=2017-05-05 \|accessdate=2017-07-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|author=Douglas Carswell \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/05/ukip-finished-i-am-elated-theresa-may-anti-establishment-candidate \|title=Ukip, my old party, is finished. And I’m elated about it \|publisher=The Guardian \|date=2017-05-05 \|accessdate=2017-07-06}}</ref>

	== See also==
	*]

	==References==
	{{reflist\|2}}

	{{UKIP}}

	]
	]
	]
	]

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UK Independence Party#History

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	~~The~~ ~~'''~~]~~''' is a British ], founded in 1993.~~		#REDIRECT ]

	==Founding and early years==
	]
	UKIP was founded in 1993 by ] and other members of the cross-party ], a political party set up in November 1991 with the aim of fielding candidates opposed to the ].<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.torbayukip.co.uk/about%20ukip.htm \| title=About UKIP}}</ref> The nascent party's primary objective was withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. It attracted a few members of the Eurosceptic wing of the Conservative Party, which was split on the European question after the ] was forced out of the ] in 1992 and the struggle over ratification of the Maastricht Treaty. UKIP candidates stood in the ], but were overshadowed by ]'s ]. (The Referendum Party contested 547 seats. In the 165 seats contested by both, the Referendum Party beat UKIP in all but two - Romsey and Glasgow Anniesland, the latter by just two votes.)<ref>Robert Ford and Matthew Goodwin, ''Revolt on the Right'', p30 and p56. Routledge (2014)</ref>

	After the election, Sked resigned from the leadership and left the party because, he said, it contained members who "are racist and have been infected by the far-right"<ref name="sked_ukip_racist">{{cite news\| url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/feb/06/otherparties.politicalcolumnists \| location=London \| work=The Guardian \| first=Nick \| last=Cohen \| title=Nick Cohen: No truth behind Veritas \| date=6 February 2005}}</ref> and was "doomed to remain on the political fringes".<ref>{{cite news\| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-13041762 \| location=London \| work=BBC \| title = Scottish election: UK Independence Party profile \| date=13 April 2011}}</ref> However, Goldsmith died soon after the election and the Referendum Party was dissolved, with a resulting influx of new UKIP supporters. The leadership election was won by the millionaire businessman ], and in the ] UKIP gained three seats and 7% of the vote. In that election, ] (]), ] (]) and Michael Holmes (]) were elected.

	Over the following months there was a power struggle between Holmes and the party's National Executive Committee (NEC). This was partly due to Holmes making a speech perceived as calling for greater powers for the European Parliament against the ]. Ordinary party members forced the resignation of both Holmes and the entire NEC, and Jeffrey Titford was subsequently elected leader. After Holmes resigned from the party itself in March 2000,<ref>{{cite news\| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/684384.stm \| location=London \| work=BBC News\| title = Former UKIP leader quits party\| date=21 March 2000}}</ref> there was a legal battle when he tried to continue as an independent MEP until he resigned from the European Parliament in December 2002. Holmes was then replaced by ], the second candidate on the UKIP list in South West England.

	UKIP put up candidates in more than 420 seats in the ], attaining 1.5% of the vote and failing to win any representation at Westminster. It also failed to break through in the elections to the ] or the Welsh Assembly, despite those elections being held under ]. In 2002, Titford stood down as party leader, but continued to sit as a UKIP MEP. He was replaced as leader by ]. In 2004 UKIP reorganised itself nationally as a ], with the legal name of United Kingdom Independence Party Limited, though branches remained as ].<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/ \|title=Companies House WebCHeck - UNITED KINGDOM INDEPENDENCE PARTY LIMITED \|id=Company No. 05090691 \|publisher=Companies House \|accessdate=13 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2011/1204.html \|title=(1) UK Independence Party Limited, (2) Gordon Howard Parkin v. Alan Hardy \|publisher=Royal Courts of Justice \|id= EWCA Civ 1204 \|date=26 October 2011 \|accessdate=13 September 2013}}</ref>

	==2004 to 2012==

	===2004 European elections and 2005 general election===
	], leader of the party, (2006–2009; 2010–2016)]]
	In the ] UKIP came third with 12 MEPs being elected. In the ] the same year, UKIP won two London Assembly seats.

	In late 2004, the mainstream UK press speculated on if or when the UKIP MEP, former ] MP and chat-show host ] would take control of the party. These comments were heightened by Kilroy-Silk's speech at the UKIP party conference in Bristol on 2 October 2004, in which he called for the ] to be "killed off" following the ], where UKIP finished third (with 10.2%) above the Conservatives in fourth (9.7%).

	Interviewed by ] television, Kilroy-Silk did not deny having ambitions to lead the party, but stressed that Roger Knapman would lead it into the next general election.{{citation needed\|date=August 2013}} However, the next day, on ''Breakfast with ]'', he criticised Knapman's leadership.<ref>, ''Daily Telegraph'', 3 October 2004</ref> After further disagreement with the leadership, Kilroy-Silk resigned the UKIP whip in the European Parliament on 27 October 2004.<ref>, ''BBC News'', 27 October 2004<br>Matthew Tempest, ''Guardian online'', 27 October 2004</ref> Initially, he remained a member, while seeking a bid for the party leadership. However, this was not successful and he resigned completely from UKIP on 20 January 2005, calling it a "joke".<ref>, ''BBC News'', 21 January 2005</ref> Two weeks later, he founded his own party, ], taking a number of UKIP members, including both of the London Assembly members, with him.<ref>Martin Hoscik, , ''MayorWatch'', 23 March 2011</ref>

	In the ], UKIP fielded 495 candidates and gained 618,000 votes, or 2.3% of the total votes cast in the election, and did not win a seat in the House of Commons. This result placed it fourth in terms of votes cast nationally.<ref name="ElectCom">The Electoral Commission, , page 8, March 2006</ref> Its best performance was in ], where Richard Horsnell came third with 9.6% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news\| title=Result: Boston & Skegness \| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/vote2005/html/77.stm \| work=BBC News}}</ref>

	Following the 2005 general election, Kilroy-Silk resigned from Veritas after its performance in the election, the party having received only 40,607 votes.<ref name="ElectCom"/> In April 2006 ], during a phone-in on London's ] radio station, described UKIP members as being "fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists, mostly."<ref>, BBC News, 4 April 2006</ref> Farage asked for an apology. but Cameron did not back down.<ref>Ros Taylor , theguardian.com, 4 April 2006</ref> On 12 September 2006, Farage was ] with 45% of the vote, 20% ahead of his nearest rival.

	===2009 European elections===
	{{Main article\|European Parliament election, 2009 (United Kingdom)}}
	], Surrey, for the 2009 European elections]]
	On 28 March 2009, the Conservative Party's biggest-ever donor, ], donated £100,000 to UKIP after criticising ]'s stance towards the ] and the European Union. He said, "If they kick me out I will understand. I will be very sorry about it, but it won't alter my stance."<ref>{{Cite news\| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5996975.ece \| work=The Times \| location=London \| title=Tory donor Stuart Wheeler faces expulsion over UKIP support \| first1=Sam \| last1=Coates \| date=29 March 2009 \| accessdate=29 March 2010}}</ref> The following day, 29 March, he was expelled from the Conservative Party.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7971102.stm \|title=UK \| Tory party to expel donor Wheeler \|work=BBC News \|date=29 March 2009 \|accessdate=13 April 2010}}</ref>

	The 2009 European elections resulted in UKIP coming second with 16.5% of the vote and 13 ]s, an increase of one MEP and 0.3% in the share of the vote compared to the 2004 European Elections.<ref>{{cite news\|title=European Elections 2009, UK results\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/elections/euro/09/html/ukregion_999999.stm\|work=BBC News\|accessdate=27 August 2013\|date=19 April 2009}}</ref>

	===2009 leadership election===
	{{Main article\|UK Independence Party leadership election, 2009}}
	In September 2009, Nigel Farage announced that he would be resigning as leader of the party in order to stand for Parliament against the ], ].<ref>{{Cite news\| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8235626.stm \| title=Farage to stand against Speaker \| publisher=BBC News \| date=3 September 2009 \| location=London}}</ref> The leadership election was contested by five candidates - ], ], ], ] and Alan Wood - and was won by ] with just under half of the 9900 votes cast <ref>{{cite news\|title=Lord Pearson elected leader of UK Independence Party\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8381992.stm\|work=BBC News\|accessdate=27 August 2013\|date=27 November 2009}}</ref>

	===2010 general election===
	{{Main article\|UK Independence Party election results}}
	]]]
	UKIP fielded 572 candidates in the ];.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Tories fear Ukip could cause as much harm as SDP did to Labour\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/mar/01/tories-ukip-harm-sdp-labour\|accessdate=30 August 2013\|newspaper=The Guardian\|date=1 March 2013}}</ref> ] asked some prospective candidates to stand down in favour of Eurosceptic Conservative and Labour MPs. However, some refused to do so.{{citation needed\|date=August 2013}} This did not stop Lord Pearson from campaigning on behalf of the Conservative candidates stating that he was "putting country before party". These decisions drew some criticism from within the party from the likes of Michael Heaver of Young Independence.{{citation needed\|date=August 2013}}

	On the morning of polling day, Farage was injured while flying as a passenger in a light aircraft which crashed near ], ].<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/northamptonshire/8664260.stm \|title=Nigel Farage injured in plane crash on election day \|work=BBC News \|date=6 May 2010 \|accessdate=18 May 2010}}</ref>

	In the election the party polled 3.1% of the vote (919,471 votes), an increase of 0.9% on the 2005 general election, but took no seats.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/elections/results/general_elections \|title=Electoral Commission website \|publisher=Electoralcommission.org.uk \|accessdate=30 November 2010}}</ref> This made it the party with the largest percentage of the popular vote to win no seats in the election.<ref>{{Cite news\| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/election2010/results/ \| work=BBC News \| title=Election 2010 \| accessdate=26 May 2010}}</ref>

	In Buckingham, the seat of the ] ], Farage obtained 17% of the vote, despite receiving some level of support from Lord Tebbit, a senior Conservatives figure.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Lord Tebbit challenges backing for Speaker John Bercow\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8554010.stm\|accessdate=26 September 2013\|work=BBC News\|date=7 March 2010}}</ref> Farage came third behind Bercow and ], the Buckinghamshire Campaign For Democracy candidate,<ref>Electoral Commission, </ref> a Europhile and former Conservative MEP.<ref>Emily Andres & Andy Dolan, , ''Daily Mail'', 7 May 2010</ref> UKIP was also third in three other constituencies: ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web\|last=Wells\|first=Anthony\|title=TORRIDGE AND WEST DEVON\|url=http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/2015guide/devonwestandtorridge/\|publisher=UK Polling Report\|accessdate=26 September 2013}}</ref> Farage's result was the best of all UKIP candidates that the party put forward in the 2010 general election.<ref>{{cite web\|title=2010 General Election Results\|url=http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/excel_doc/0020/105725/GE2010-constituency-results-website.xls\|publisher=Electoral Commission\|accessdate=26 September 2013}}</ref>

	===2010 leadership election===
	{{Main article\|UK Independence Party leadership election, 2010}}
	Lord Pearson resigned as leader in August 2010.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/aug/17/lord-pearson-stands-down-as-ukip-leader \|work=The Guardian \|title=Lord Pearson stands down as Ukip leader because he is 'not much good' \|date= 17 August 2010 \|location=London \|first=Adam \|last=Gabbatt}}</ref> The subsequent leadership election was contested between Nigel Farage, ], ] and ] and won by ] with more than 60% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Nigel Farage re-elected to lead UK Independence Party\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11700220\|work=BBC News\|accessdate=27 August 2013\|date=5 November 2010}}</ref> During his acceptance speech, Farage spoke out against the leadership of the Conservative Party, and Conservative policy on Europe.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Nigel Farage returns as Ukip leader\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/nov/05/nigel-farage-elected-ukip-leader\|work=The Guardian\|accessdate=27 August 2013}}</ref> Lord Pearson, the previous leader, welcomed Farage's re-election, and said "The UKIP crown returns to its rightful owner."<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://news.sky.com/home/politics/article/15795811\|title=Nigel Farage Re-Elected UKIP Party Leader\|last=Barnett\|first=Ruth\|date=5 November 2010\|work=Sky News Online\|accessdate=11 December 2011}}</ref>

	===2011 and 2012===
	UKIP contested two ]s in early 2011, with candidate Jane Collins coming second in ] with 12.2% of the vote<ref>{{cite news\|title=Lib Dems slump to sixth as Labour win Barnsley poll\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12643639\|work=BBC News\|accessdate=27 August 2013\|date=4 March 2011}}</ref> and ] finishing fourth in ] with 5.8% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Labour celebrate victory in Oldham East by-election\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12187965\|work=BBC News\|accessdate=27 August 2013\|date=14 January 2011}}</ref>

	UKIP fielded 1,217 candidates for the 2011 local council elections, a major increase over its previous campaigns,{{citation needed\|date=August 2013}} but not enough to qualify for a party election broadcast on television.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.broadcastersliaisongroup.org.uk/criteria_may2011.html \|title=Broadcasters' Liaison Group - Qualification Criteria \|publisher=Broadcastersliaisongroup.org.uk \|date=5 May 2011 \|accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref> UKIP said that the party was well-organised in the South East, South West and Eastern regions, but there were still places across the country where there were no UKIP candidates standing at all.<ref>{{cite news\| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13135206 \| work=BBC News \| title=English local elections: UKIP hopes to make gains \| date=26 April 2011}}</ref>

	Across the country, many UKIP candidates came second or third. UKIP in ] gained a total of five seats on Newcastle Borough Council in 2007 and 2008 and three seats on ] County Council in 2009. Although UKIP did not poll well, it made gains across many parts of England, as well as taking control of Ramsey town council with nine UKIP councillors out of 17. Whilst UKIP made gains and losses, the party fell short of Farage's predictions of major gains. The UKIP MEP ] called for Farage's resignation as leader of the party.<ref name="BBC 2011">{{cite news\| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13348940 \| work=BBC News \| title=Call for UKIP's Nigel Farage to resign as double act turns sour \| date=10 May 2011}}</ref>

	In the ], UKIP put up 691 candidates in around 2500 local council election contests. Their average % vote share (weighted according to total votes cast) was 13%.<ref> {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513010825/http://www.theinformationdaily.com/2012/10/04/will-some-other-party-decide-general-election-2015 \|date=2015-05-13 }} \| The Information Daily</ref><ref> \| Channel 4 news</ref>

	In October 2012, ], a member of the ] who had been elected as an ], joined UKIP after being expelled from the ], becoming UKIPs second representative in Northern Ireland alongside ], a councillor in ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.u.tv/news/McNarry-joining-UKIP-after-UUP-departure/23e60e54-3857-4475-9aa3-89dc68e8aad6 \|title=McNarry joining UKIP after UUP departure \|work=UTV News \|date=4 October 2012 \|accessdate=3 July 2013}}</ref>

	On 29 November 2012, UKIP finished in second place in the ], with 4,648 votes (21.7% of the votes cast). This was the highest percentage share recorded by UKIP in any parliamentary election (although it had polled a greater ''number'' of votes in the 2012 ] and also in ] in the 2010 general election, where its candidate was Nigel Farage).<ref> Aylesbury Vale District Council</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/election2010/results/constituency/a79.stm \|title=Election 2010:Buckingham \|work=BBC News \|accessdate=3 July 2013}}</ref> Its candidate, Jane Collins, had previously been the only UKIP candidate to come second in any UK parliamentary election, at ] in 2011. UKIP also came second in 2012 in the ] and third in the ], which were held on the same day as Rotherham.

	During 2012 and early 2013, UKIP's popularity in ] increased, with many polls indicating that it had overtaken the Liberal Democrats for third place.<ref>See '']'' for detail, including a list of every opinion poll carried out in 2012.</ref>

	==2013 to 2016==
	] by European Parliamentary constituency. Each purple square represents an elected UKIP MEP.]]
	] in England. Districts where UKIP received the largest number of votes are shown in purple.]]

	In the ] on 28 February 2013, the UKIP candidate Diane James came second, polling the highest proportion and number of votes (27.8% and 11,571 respectively) that a UKIP parliamentary candidate had achieved to this point in time.

	===Local elections===
	UKIP put up a record number of candidates for the ] and in the run up to the election performed well in opinion polls,<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22328898 \|title=Local election 2013: Ken Clarke brands UKIP 'clowns' \|work=BBC News \|date=28 April 2013 \|accessdate=3 May 2013}}</ref> despite a number of controversies over individual candidates in the weeks before the elections.<ref>{{cite news\|author=Kevin Schofield \|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/politics/4905370/Fury-at-UKIP-fruit-loops-being-fielded-at-council-elections.html \|title=Fury at UKIP ‘fruit loops’ being fielded at council elections \|work=The Sun \|date=27 April 2013 \|accessdate=3 May 2013 \|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10378900.East_Sussex_UKIP_election_candidate_in_holocaust_storm/ \|title=Crowborough UKIP election candidate in holocaust storm \|work=The Argus \|date=25 April 2013 \|accessdate=3 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|last=Duffin \|first=Claire \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10027315/Ukip-candidate-PE-prevents-people-becoming-gay.html \|title=Ukip candidate: 'PE prevents people becoming gay' \|work=Daily Telegraph \|date=5 March 2013 \|accessdate=3 May 2013 \|location=London}}</ref>

	In the 2013 county council elections across England, the party achieved its best ever ] result, polling an average of 23% in the wards where it stood, and returning 147 elected councillors.<ref name="local">{{cite news\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ukip/10036463/Local-elections-2013-Nigel-Farages-Ukip-surges-to-best-ever-showing-winning-150-seats.html \|title=Local elections 2013: Nigel Farage's Ukip surges to best ever showing, winning 150 seats \|work=Daily Telegraph \|date=5 May 2013 \|accessdate=4 May 2013 \|location=London \|first=Christopher \|last=Hope}}</ref> It made significant gains in ], ] and ], taking 15, 16 and 17 seats respectively.<ref name=sn20130504>{{cite web\|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1086321/local-council-elections-ukip-make-big-gains \|title=Local Council Elections: UKIP Make Big Gains \|work=Sky News \|date=4 May 2013 \|accessdate=4 May 2013}}</ref>
	It was described as the best result for a party outside the ] in British politics since the ].<ref name="GuardianMay3">{{cite news\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/may/03/nigel-farage-ukip-change-british-politics\|title=Ukip will change face of British politics like SDP, says Nigel Farage\|date=3 May 2013\|newspaper=The Guardian\|location=London\|first=Nicholas\|last=Watt}}</ref>

	In ], UKIP won 163 seats, an increase of 128, but did not take control of any council.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Local elections 2014: results updated live\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2014/may/22/local-elections-2014-live-results-updated\|work=The Guardian\|accessdate=25 May 2014}}</ref>

	===2014 European elections===
	{{Main article\|European Parliament election, 2014 (United Kingdom)}}

	In March 2014, ] and the BBC awarded UKIP "major party status" for the ].<ref>'''', Ofcom, 3 March 2014</ref><ref>{{cite news\|author=Jason Groves\|title=Ukip must be treated as a major party and given more airtime in run-up to Euro elections, Ofcom orders TV channels\|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2572591/Treat-Ukip-major-party-Ofcom-orders-TV-channels-Regulator-says-success-previous-Euro-elections-Labour-Tories-Lib-Dems.html\|newspaper=Mail Online\|date=4 March 2014\|location=London}}</ref>

	UKIP received the greatest number of votes (27.49%) of any British party in the 2014 European Parliament election and gained 11 extra MEPs for a total of 24.<ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite news\|title=Vote 2014: UK European election results\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/events/vote2014/eu-uk-results\|date=26 May 2014\|agency=BBC News}}</ref> The party won seats in every region of ], including its first in Scotland.<ref name=breakthrough>{{cite news\|title=Farage: UKIP has 'momentum' and is targeting more victories\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27567744\|accessdate=27 May 2014\|newspaper=BBC News\|date=26 May 2014}}</ref> It was the first time in over a century that a party other than Labour or Conservatives won the most votes in a UK-wide election.<ref name=breakthrough/>

	===Parliamentary by-elections and first elected MPs===

	In the ], UKIP canididate John Bickley came second in the poll with 11,016 votes (38.7%), 2.2% behind the winner. The 36-point increase in UKIP support was one of the biggest increases in vote for a party in a by-election.<ref> \| Prof. John Curtice, The Independent</ref>

	UKIP gained its first elected MP with ] winning the seat of ] by 12,404 votes on 9 October 2014.<ref name="Clacton">, ''BBC News''. Accessed 10 October 2014.</ref> His 21,113 votes (59.75%) represented a 44% swing from the Conservative party, from whom Carswell had defected, his resignation having triggered the ].<ref name="Clacton"/>

	On 20 November 2014, ], who had also defected from the Conservatives and resigned his seat in order to trigger a by-election, was re-elected for UKIP in ].<ref name=reckless>, ''BBC News''. Accessed 22 November 2014</ref>

	UKIP gained its first elected MP with ] winning the seat of ] during a ].<ref name="Clacton">, ''BBC News''. Accessed 10 October 2014.</ref> Carswell had defected from the Conservatives, and gained 59.75% of the vote.<ref name="Clacton"/> In November fellow defector from the Conservatives, ], resigned his seat in order to trigger a by-election, before being re-elected for UKIP in ].<ref name=reckless>, ''BBC News''. Accessed 22 November 2014</ref> In the ], Carswell held his seat but Reckless lost his. UKIP's share of the vote nationally rose to 13%. Farage did not win the constituency of ] and briefly resigned as leader,<ref>{{cite news\|title=Nigel Farage resigns as UKIP leader as the party vote rises\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32633719\|accessdate=8 May 2015\|work=BBC News\|date=8 May 2015}}</ref> before the party's NEC rejected his resignation and he was re-instated as party leader.<ref>{{cite web\|title = Farage stays as UKIP leader after resignation rejected\|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32696505\|website = BBC News\|accessdate =11 May 2015}}</ref> In the ] held on the same day, UKIP took control of ].<ref name="Council">{{cite news \| title=Ukip Takes Control of Thanet Council the Day After Nigel Farage Lost MP Bid \| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ukip/11594819/Ukip-takes-control-of-Thanet-council-the-day-after-Nigel-Farage-lost-MP-bid.html \| date=9 May 2015 \| work=The Daily Telegraph \| accessdate=9 May 2015}}</ref>

	In the ], when the result was expected to be a ], the issue of ] (DUP, ] political party) and UKIP forming a ] with the ] was considered by Farage.<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Justice\|first1=Adam\|title=General Election 2015: Ukip could form coalition with Tories and DUP\|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/general-election-2015-ukip-could-form-coalition-tories-dup-1492489\|accessdate=29 March 2016\|work=International Business Times\|date=18 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|last1=Wilkinson\|first1=Michael\|title=Conservative Ukip coalition: what have the parties said\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11566274/Conservative-Ukip-coalition-what-have-the-parties-said.html\|accessdate=29 March 2016\|work=The Daily Telegraph\|date=5 May 2015}}</ref> The then Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the ], ], warned against this "Blukip" coalition, with a spoof website highlighting imagined policies from this coalition – such as reinstating the ], scrapping all benefits for under 25s and charging for hospital visits.<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Cromie\|first1=Claire\|title=Nick Clegg warns of rightwing 'Blukip' alliance of DUP, Ukip and the Conservatives\|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/nick-clegg-warns-of-rightwing-blukip-alliance-of-dup-ukip-and-the-conservatives-31147787.html\|accessdate=29 March 2016\|work=The Belfast Telegraph\|date=16 April 2015}}</ref> Additionally, issues were raised about the continued existence of the ] (as the DUP, UKIP and Conservatives had made a number of statements criticising the institution)<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Stone\|first1=Jon\|title=Tory coalition with DUP and Ukip could spell the end of the BBC as we know it\|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/tory-coalition-with-dup-and-ukip-could-spell-the-end-of-the-bbc-as-we-know-it-31177207.html\|accessdate=29 March 2016\|work=The Belfast Telegraph\|date=28 April 2015}}</ref> and support for ] and ], as the DUP are opposed to the institution<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Dunne\|first1=Ciara\|title=An alliance with the DUP will be a harder bargain than either Labour or the Tories think\|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/03/alliance-dup-will-be-harder-bargain-either-labour-or-tories-think\|accessdate=29 March 2016\|work=New Statesman\|date=16 March 2015}}</ref><ref name=JonesAttitude5May15>{{cite news\|last1=Stroude\|first1=Will\|title=Owen Jones warns of 'homophobic' DUP holding influence over future government\|url=http://attitude.co.uk/owen-jones-warns-of-homophobic-dup-holding-influence-over-future-government/\|accessdate=12 January 2016\|work=Attitude Magazine\|date=5 May 2015}}</ref> and UKIP had been involved in controversies over the alleged homophobia of its candidates in the past.<ref name=controversials>{{cite news\|author=Kevin Schofield \|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/politics/4905370/Fury-at-UKIP-fruit-loops-being-fielded-at-council-elections.html \|title=Fury at UKIP ‘fruit loops’ being fielded at council elections \|work=The Sun \|date=27 April 2013 \|accessdate=3 May 2013 \|location=London}}<br>- {{cite web\|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10378900.East_Sussex_UKIP_election_candidate_in_holocaust_storm/ \|title=Crowborough UKIP election candidate in holocaust storm \|work=The Argus \|date=25 April 2013 \|accessdate=3 July 2013}}<br>- {{cite news\|last=Duffin \|first=Claire \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10027315/Ukip-candidate-PE-prevents-people-becoming-gay.html \|title=Ukip candidate: 'PE prevents people becoming gay' \|work=Daily Telegraph \|date=5 March 2013 \|accessdate=3 May 2013 \|location=London}}</ref> Although UKIP's manifesto made no mention of ] or LGBT issues, the party offered a "Christian manifesto" which opposed same-sex marriage and offered legal protection for ]; however, the party said they did not wish to reverse it ].<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Smith\|first1=Lydia\|title=Election 2015: Which parties score best on LGBT rights?\|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/election-2015-which-parties-score-best-lgbt-rights-1499774\|accessdate=4 April 2016\|work=International Business Times\|date=5 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|last1=Mason\|first1=Rowena\|title=Ukip offers legal protection to Christians who oppose same-sex marriage\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/apr/28/ukip-christians-legal-protection-same-sex-marriage\|accessdate=4 April 2016\|work=The Guardian\|date=28 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|last1=Farage\|first1=Nigel\|title=Nigel Farage confirms that UKIP will not campaign to abolish same-sex marriage\|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/03/18/nigel-farage-confirms-that-ukip-will-not-abolish-same-sex-marriage/\|accessdate=4 April 2016\|work=PinkNews\|date=18 March 2014}}</ref>

	===Farage resignations===
	{{Recentism\|date=May 2016}}
	In the run-up to the ], Farage had said that he would resign as party leader if he did not win the seat of South Thanet.<ref>{{cite web\|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/nigel-farage/11467045/Nigel-Farage-If-I-lose-in-South-Thanet-its-curtains-for-me-I-will-have-to-quit-as-Ukip-leader.html\|title = Nigel Farage: If I lose in South Thanet, it's curtains for me: I will have to quit as Ukip leader\|date = 15 March 2015\|accessdate = 10 May 2015\|website = The Telegraph\|publisher = \|last = Farage\|first = Nigel\|authorlink = Nigel Farage}}</ref> After the election, on 8 May, Farage resigned at 11:22am saying that he is "going to take the summer off, enjoy myself a bit, not do much politics at all and there will be a leadership election for Ukip in September." He raised the possibility that he might stand in that election.<ref>{{cite web\|url = https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/52-minutes-shook-britain-miliband-5661173\|title = 52 minutes that shook Britain: Miliband, Clegg and Farage all resign in election bloodbath\|date = 8 May 2015\|accessdate = 10 May 2015\|website = Mirror\|publisher = \|last = Bloom\|first = Dan}}</ref> However, he was reinstated three days later when the party's NEC unanimously rejected his resignation.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32734220 \|title=UKIP rocked by Nigel Farage leadership row \|website= BBC News \|publisher= \|date=14 May 2015 \|accessdate=13 October 2015}}</ref>

	A row within the party then began over the refusal by ], the party's only MP, to take the full ] allocated to UKIP. There were subsequent briefings critical of Carswell and then, in turn, of Farage.<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/> MEP ], in particular, was critical of Farage and two of his advisers in an interview in '']'' in which he described Farage as a "snarling, thin-skinned, aggressive man", although he later said he wanted Farage to stay leader. The two aides, Matthew Richardson and Farage's chief of staff, ], later quit.<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/> UKIP donor ] said he would like Farage "to step down at least for the moment", while other sources called for a leadership contest, but ], a possible successor, gave Farage her support.<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/> On 14 May, Farage ruled out resigning, saying it was the wrong time for the party to have a leadership election and that he had great support within the party.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32746300 \|title=UKIP's Nigel Farage rules out quitting as leader \|work= BBC News \|publisher= \|date=15 May 2015 \|accessdate=13 October 2015}}</ref>

	Some within the party called for him to take a 'short break', including Douglas Carswell and Suzanne Evans, the latter adding that "two weeks’ holiday would be enough".<ref>{{cite news\|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nigel-farage-under-renewed-pressure-to-take-break-from-ukip-leadership-10256810.html\|title = Nigel Farage under renewed pressure to take break from Ukip leadership\|date = 17 May 2015\|accessdate = 17 May 2015\|website = The Independent\|publisher = \|last = McSmith\|first = Andy}}</ref> O'Flynn subsequently resigned from his economics role in the party, while Evans' contract for her policy role came to an end. Richardson was re-instated in June 2015.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-33145753 \|title=Ex-UKIP party secretary Matt Richardson returns to role \|work=BBC News \|publisher= \|date=16 June 2015 \|accessdate=13 October 2015}}</ref> No candidates declared their intention to stand during the time Farage resigned and was reinstated as leader three days later, although media speculation identified several possible candidates.<ref>{{cite news\|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/who-will-be-the-next-ukip-leader-after-nigel-farage-resigns-10235746.html\|title = Who will be the next Ukip leader after Nigel Farage resigns?\|date = 8 May 2015\|accessdate = 10 May 2015\|website = The Independent\|publisher = \|last = McIntyre\|first = Sophie}}</ref>

	Following a worse-than-expected result in the ], Carswell told the BBC that the Party needs a "fresh face" as leader, and called for UKIP to become a party that is not seen as "unpleasant" and "socially illiberal".<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35121684 \|title=Douglas Carswell: UKIP needs a 'fresh face' as leader \|publisher=BBC News \|accessdate=2016-02-23}}</ref> As a consequence, Carswell was asked to explain himself at the Party executive committee's January 2016 meeting.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Ross \|first=Tim \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ukip/12059434/Douglas-Carswell-faces-showdown-with-Ukip-chiefs-over-Farage-leadership-row.html \|title=Douglas Carswell faces showdown with Ukip chiefs over Farage leadership row \|work=Daily Telegraph \|date=19 December 2015 \|accessdate=23 February 2016}}</ref>

	In 2016 ], UKIP nearly tripled their share of votes (from 4,7 per cent to 12,5 per cent) and won seven seats.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2016-wales-36207410\|title=Welsh Election 2016: Labour just short as UKIP wins seats - BBC News\|publisher=}}</ref> After the election, ] was elected leader of the UKIP group in the Assembly. UKIP also won two seats in the London Assembly, giving the party its first representation there since 2005. However, they won no seats in the Scottish Parliament, and lost the seat in the ] that they had gained by defection, coming within 105 votes of retaining it, in ].<ref name="newsletter.co.uk">{{cite web\|url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/northern-ireland-news/video-ukip-man-says-we-could-have-done-no-more-after-almost-seizing-east-antrim-seat-1-7370649\|title=VIDEO: UKIP man says ‘we could have done no more’ after almost seizing East Antrim seat\|publisher=}}</ref> They made some gains in the local elections, increasing their councillor numbers by 25, although they came fourth on projected national vote share, behind the Liberal Democrats.

	Farage resigned as UKIP leader on 4 July 2016 with the following comment, "During the referendum I said I wanted my country back … now I want my life back"<ref>{{cite news \|last=Mason \|first=Rowena \|date=4 July 2016 \|title=Nigel Farage resigns as Ukip leader after 'achieving political ambition' of Brexit \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/04/nigel-farage-resigns-as-ukip-leader \|newspaper=The Guardian \|location=London, UK \|access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref> and added that this resignation was final: "I won’t be changing my mind again, I can promise you",<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-04/farage-resigns-as-ukip-leader-adding-to-brexit-political-turmoil \|title=Farage Resigns as UKIP Leader After Brexit Vote \|last=Kennedy \|first=Simon \|date=4 July 2016 \|website=Bloomberg \|publisher=Bloomberg L.P. \|access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref> apparently referring to two previous withdrawals of his resignation (in 2009 and 2015).<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/07/brexit-ukip-leader-nigel-farage-resigns-160704091835096.html \|title=Brexit: UKIP leader Nigel Farage resigns \|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> \|date=4 July 2016 \|website=Al Jazeera English \|publisher=Al Jazeera \|access-date= \|quote=After running divisive campaign to leave the EU, Farage quits, while Britain faces economic and political challenges.}}</ref>

	By 5 July 2016, some political analysts questioned how UKIP will sustain itself now that the "driving issue" (leaving the EU) was no longer relevant. An article in ] indicated that this would be "the first issue on the agenda for Farage's successor, as well as trying to influence the terms by which Britain leaves the EU."<ref>{{cite news \|last=Dunford \|first=Daniel \|date=5 July 2016 \|title=Who are the favourites to be the next Ukip leader? \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/04/who-are-the-favourites-to-be-the-next-ukip-leader/ \|newspaper=The Telegraph \|location=London, UK \|access-date=5 July 2016}}</ref>

	The referendum produced a majority in favour of leaving the EU: the accomplishment of UKIP's ''raison d'être'' raised questions about the party's future.{{sfn\|Usherwood\|2016a\|p=27}} The loss of its MEPs would result in the loss of its primary institutional representation and a key source of its funding.{{sfn\|Usherwood\|2016a\|p=29}}

	==Post Brexit 2017–present==
	{{Main article\|UK Independence Party leadership election, September 2016}}
	{{Main article\|UK Independence Party leadership election, November 2016}}
	{{Main article\|UK Independence Party leadership election, 2017}}
	{{Main article\|UK Independence Party leadership election, 2018}}

	After the referendum, Farage resigned as UKIP leader.<ref>{{cite news \|last=Mason \|first=Rowena \|date=4 July 2016 \|title=Nigel Farage resigns as Ukip leader after 'achieving political ambition' of Brexit \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/04/nigel-farage-resigns-as-ukip-leader \|newspaper=The Guardian \|location=London, UK \|access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref> ] was elected as his successor,<ref>{{cite article \|title=Diane James becomes UKIP leader \|date=16 September 2016 \|website=BBC News \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37387162}}</ref> but resigned after 18 days.<ref>{{cite article \|title=UKIP leader Diane James standing down \|website=BBC News \|date=4 October 2016 \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37558485 }}</ref> On 21 November 2016, James announced that she was leaving UKIP and would henceforth sit as an Independent.<ref>{{cite news\|last=Mason\|first=Rowena\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/nov/21/diane-james-quits-ukip\|title=Diane James quits Ukip, saying relations soured after she quit as leader\|work=The Guardian\|date=21 November 2016\|accessdate=21 November 2016}}</ref>
	an other Leadership candidate ] subsequently resigned from UKIP in October 2016, describing the party as "ungovernable". he is also sitting as an Independent.<ref>{{cite web\|author=Steven Woolfe \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/17/ukip-is-ungovernable-i-hoped-to-be-leader---instead-today-i-quit/ \|title=Ukip is ungovernable. I hoped to be leader - instead, today I quit the party \|publisher=Daily Telegraph \|date=2016-10-17 \|accessdate=2017-07-06}}</ref>

	In November, Farage's former Deputy, ], was elected leader and pledged to win votes away from Labour.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38125432\|title=Paul Nuttall elected as UKIP leader\|publisher=BBC News\|date=28 November 2016\|accessdate=28 November 2016}}</ref> In March 2017, the party's only ], ], left the party to sit as an independent.<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39393213\|title=Douglas Carswell quitting UKIP\|date=25 March 2017\|publisher=\|accessdate=25 March 2017\|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/matthewchampion/ukips-only-mp-douglas-carswell-says-he-is-quitting-the-party \|title=UKIP's Only MP Douglas Carswell Says He Is Quitting The Party - BuzzFeed News \|publisher=Buzzfeed.com \|date= \|accessdate=2017-03-27}}</ref>

	Invocation of Article 50 by the United Kingdom occurred on 29 March 2017, when ], the ], formally delivered by hand a letter signed by Prime Minister Theresa May to ], the ] in ].<ref name="Adler">{{cite news\|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-politics-39424391?&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=58db9a00e4b04343cfc3890f%26Article%2050%20letter%20handed%20over%26&ns_fee=0#post_58db9a00e4b04343cfc3890f\|title=Theresa May officially starts Brexit process; Article 50 letter handed over\|last=Adler\|first=Katya\|date=29 March 2017\|work=BBC News\|accessdate=29 March 2017}}</ref> This means that the UK will cease to be a member of the EU at midnight on 30 March 2019, unless an extension to negotiations is agreed by the UK and EU.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/article-brexit-recap-theresa-ambassador-10118594\|first=Dan\|last=Bloom\|title=Brexit Day recap: Article 50 officially triggered on historic day as Theresa May warns: 'No turning back'\|date=29 March 2017\|accessdate=29 March 2017\|newspaper=Daily Mirror}}</ref>

	In the ], UKIP lost all of the 145 seats it was defending but gained one from Labour on ].<ref name="BBC News 5 May 2017">{{cite web \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39815444\|title= Local elections: UKIP suffers big losses across England \|author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> \|date= 5 May 2017\|website= ] \|publisher= BBC \| accessdate= 5 May 2017}}</ref>

	These results have led to talks by prominent former members of the party that UKIP is finished and should disband.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/05/ukip-finished-electoral-force-says-biggest-donor-arron-banks/ \|title=Ukip is 'finished as an electoral force' says biggest donor Arron Banks after local election wipeout \|publisher=Daily Telegraph \|date=2017-05-05 \|accessdate=2017-07-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|author=Simon Jenkins \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/05/ukip-brexit-theresa-may \|title=Ukip got what it wanted. Time to disband \|publisher=The Guardian \|date=2017-05-05 \|accessdate=2017-07-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|author=Douglas Carswell \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/05/ukip-finished-i-am-elated-theresa-may-anti-establishment-candidate \|title=Ukip, my old party, is finished. And I’m elated about it \|publisher=The Guardian \|date=2017-05-05 \|accessdate=2017-07-06}}</ref>

	== See also==
	*]

	==References==
	{{reflist\|2}}

	{{UKIP}}

	]
	]
	]
	]