The mum-of-six, who works in Peterborough as chief of staff to MEP Patrick O’Flynn, came second with 4,591 votes.
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After a career in the healthcare sector, Ms James first won election to Waverley Borough Council in Surrey as an independent in 2007 after becoming “disillusioned” with the Conservatives. My job is not to try and influence but my job will be if that leader wants any help and advice then, make no mistake about it, I am still four-square behind this party and its aims.
But within an hour of her leadership victory she took the decision to wipe Neil Hamilton from Saturday’s agenda for the party’s annual conference, which is being held in Bournemouth.
“I’m still pinching myself but I’m just immensely grateful for what you have done and what you have bestowed on me”.
She has insisted that Brexit must mean “100% European Union exit” and that the pressure must be maintained on Prime Minister Theresa May’s government.
In a Q&A with LGBTI supporters last month, James insisted she had “no problem at all” with same-sex marriage as “it is now enshrined in United Kingdom legislation”.
Although less outspoken than the charismatic Farage, who resigned in July after achieving his political dream of helping Britain leave the European Union, James has still contributed to the controversy that often follows the anti mass-immigration party.
But she stressed that she must be allowed to lead the party in her own way, saying she would not be a “Nigel-like, not even Nigel-lite”. I’ll never ever pretend to be so.
In 2013, the 56-year-old came within fewer than 2,000 votes of becoming UKIP’s first elected MP in when she narrowly lost the Eastleigh by-election to the Liberal Democrats.
“I was anxious, losing somebody like Nigel Farage who has been a huge influence and a major game player [in] British politics – it was a worry that he was going”.
“The UK signature is not dry yet and we are still in the European Union”. “I think it’s extraordinary that the speaker of the Ukip group in the Assembly should be replaced as the speaker by someone who’s just resigned in the assembly”. “It is going to be because change is necessary and justified”.
Meanwhile, the party’s only MP will take to the conference stage as the bitter divisions in the party showed no sign of healing under new leader Diane James.
She drew criticism in 2015 after praising Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Telegraph said.
He said the party would continue pressuring Prime Minister Theresa May to go ahead with Brexit, warning UKIP would sweep up discontented voters from both right and left if the government failed to push ahead with the departure.
8,451 UKIP members voted for James to win the leadership contest.
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Mrs James fought off competition from her nearest rival, Cambridgeshire District councillor, Lisa Duffy (4591 votes) as well as Bill Etheridge (2052 votes), Phillip Broughton (1545 votes) and Elizabeth Jones (1203 votes). The remaining ballots were spoiled.
