UK Independence Party announces new leader

LONDON (AA) – Diane James was announced as the new and first female leader of the UK Independence Party on Friday.

The announcement came at the party's annual conference in Bournemouth, south UK, the party’s first major conference since the EU referendum result.

Former UKIP Deputy Chairman and MEP for South East England got 8,451 votes to replace Nigel Farage.

Delivering a speech after the announcement, James stressed the importance of leaving the EU.

“17.4 million people voted to leave the European Union. That’s what independence means and that's what independence in UK Independence Party means. Don't ignore it, remainacs,” she said.

James went on to say that UKIP was the “opposition party in waiting” and would work to build on the electorate success.

Outgoing leader Farage thanked the party delegates at the conference for their support.

“I have put absolutely all of me into this. I could not have worked any harder or been any more determined. I guess it has been my life’s work to get the party to this point,” Farage said in his final speech as the party leader.

Farage said he would not be leaving politics but was “going to engage in a political life without leading a political party.”

Five candidates, councillors Lisa Duffy, Liz Jones, Phillip Broughton and MEPs Diane James and Bill Etheridge have competed to defeat Nigel Farage.

The ballots were closed Thursday.