Bristol-based millionaire Arron Banks could be next UKIP leader

[Denzil_DC]

The outspoken multi-millionaire who spent £5.6m of his own personal fortune on the leave campaign in the referendum is the bookies' third joint favourite at 10/1 behind Paul Nuttall at 15/8 and Steven Woolfe at 5/2.

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He has a controlling interest in a diamond mine in Kimberley, South Africa and mining rights in Lesotho.

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Even if he decides to run, Mr Banks said he will still support Andrea Leadsom to win the Tory leadership contest to become the next prime minister.

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Mr Banks first made headlines when he donated £1million to UKIP in 2014 in an attempt to start a "peasant's revolt" against the European Union. He had previously donated to the Conservatives.

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/bristol-based-millionaire-arron-banks-could-be-next-ukip-leader/story-29479241-detail/story.html

So (with info from the rest of the article) those credentials for his bid to head the Local Country for Local Peasants Scourge of the Elites Party ...

* Multimillionaire - CHECK
* Faux populism - CHECK
* Married (now separated from) a furrin woman - CHECK
* Issued with harassment notice by police in 2005 - CHECK

Eddie Hitler lookalike Nuttall, the leading contender, when he's not shrieking about foreigners (not a racist, no sir - cheered to rafters for saying he was "sick of Scotland" on Question Time a year or so ago) is hilariously sensitive:

UKIP MEP Paul Nuttall brands BBC Question Time reaction 'appalling'

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Political reporter Liam Murphy pulled a variety of tweets onto our liveblog, including one that hit out at the scouse credentials of both Mr Nuttall and Ms McVey.

@LivEchonews they're not proper Scouse ones a orrible Tory wool the other is a bad Bootle UKIP meff
— Jill (@LipglossJill) January 22, 2015

The Collins English dictionary defines meff as i) a tramp, ii) a stupid or worthless person

Leadsom's name keeps coming up in UKIP circles - she's effectively the UKIP not-so-stealth candidate for Tory leader, and can now also boast of an endorsement from ex-BNP leader Nick Griffin.

Meanwhile, UKIP Chair Steve Crowther is also stepping down.

This leaves the field wide open for a late challenge from a previously unknown outsider.

[LeftishBrit]

1. It would be hilariously funny if it weren't so sad

[Denzil_DC]

2. This is contagious!

UKIP leadership: Paul Nuttall rules out bid to replace Nigel Farage

UKIP deputy leader Paul Nuttall has ruled himself out of the race to replace Nigel Farage as party leader.

Mr Nuttall, who was viewed as one of the favourites to succeed Mr Farage, said he had achieved his objective of getting the UK out of the EU.

The North West England MEP also said he would resign as deputy leader at the party's next national conference.

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He added: "I will however remain leader of the UKIP delegation of MEPs in the European Parliament so that I can continue to hold the government's feet to the fire during the Brexit negotiations."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36756379

Which leaves UKIP's succession an utter shambles, according to Breitbart London

The UKIP Leadership Contest: What’s REALLY Going On?

The short answer to the question is: no one really knows. And to the Douglas Carswells and Suzanne Evans of the world reading this: you don’t know either.

And the reason I can say that – having given it a bit of thought – is because there are too many variables involved now.

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There’s plenty of intrigue though. Topped off by Paul Nuttall, the favourite, dropping out of the race yesterday.

It was even surprising to even those at the top of the food chain in UKIP. Just a few days ago Team Nuttall were phoning around Westminster journalists trying to pitch negative stories about Steven Woolfe MEP. Now he’s out?

http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/07/10/ukip-leadership-whats-really-going/

Names being bandied about over there include Suzanne Evans (allegedly supported by MP Douglas Carswell). Amusingly, putting her on the ballot would break UKIP's election rules as she's currently suspended for being overcritical of the party and its leadership, but apparently moves are afoot to remedy that. Others are Steven Woolfe, and author of this article himself, Raheem Kassam (Breitbart London's Editor in Chief). Kassam doesn't think Arron Banks is likely to stand, despite his current sabre-rattling:

Businessman warns Tories will face 'Ukip on steroids' with a £10million warchest if Theresa May ends up in Downing Street

* Arron Banks says he believes May would water down Brexit moves
* Warns of huge donations to Ukip if Home Secretary wins leadership
* Also suggests the Tories could split as Brexit-supporting MPs defect
* But Ukip may not oppose Conservatives in many seats if Leadsom wins


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3683032/Businessman-threatens-hand-Ukip-10million-warchest-Theresa-wins-Conservative-leadership-election.html

Which all leaves a vacuum at the top with a Leadsom-shaped hole in it. If she doesn't win the Tory leadership, I wouldn't be surprised at all if she jumps ship into UKIP's open arms. If she even waits that long.

UKIP's leadership nominations close on 15 September - very conveniently, after the Tory leadership results are declared on 9 September!