UKIP, the glamour model and Meghan Markle: is the party over?
UKIP may be left looking for fifth leader in 18 months as Henry Bolton faces racism backlash
UK Independence Party leader Henry Bolton has dumped his girlfriend Jo Marney following the revelation that the glamour model made racist remarks about Meghan Markle.
But is the 54-year-old politician also in for the high jump? Several members are calling for Bolton to stand down and UKIP chiefs are due to meet on Sunday to decide Bolton’s fate, “if he can survive the week”, says Politico’s Jack Blanchard.
“It’s not obvious why [Bolton] should be held responsible for his girlfriend’s appalling views, but it looks like he’s caved to demands from MEPs that she goes or he does,” says HuffPost’s Paul Waugh. This latest drama highlights the party’s slide “from historic change-makers (that EU referendum would never have happened without them) to irrelevant pantomime repertory”, Waugh adds.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Questions have been raised about Bolton’s judgment in dating Marney, whose racist phone texts to a friend included comments that the “black American” Markle would “taint” the royal family. According to The Sun, Marney also claimed women refugees arriving in the UK would “f*** a mangy dog for about ten quid and a Big Mac”.
If Bolton jumps, UKIP will be left looking for its fifth leader since the EU referendum 18 months ago, raising questions about the party’s survival. There has been speculation of a possible return for UKIP’s most popular leader to date, Nigel Farage - an idea he dismisses. “No chance,” Farage said, according to the Daily Mail.
Bolton - fighting for his survival this morning - told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that he had only dated Marney for a month, and that UKIP remains relevant. “It is very important for the national debate, I believe, that the pro-Brexit voice is heard in British politics,” Bolton said.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Can Boris Johnson save Rishi Sunak?
Today's Big Question Former PM could 'make the difference' between losing the next election and annihilation
By The Week UK Published
-
Liz Truss and her bid to woo the American far-right
Why Everyone's Talking About Former PM pitching herself as 'bridge in transatlantic conservative movement'
By The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published