Nigel Farage, leader of the U.K. Independence Party, is resigning from his position as leader of the party, saying that he believes the party is in good hands following the successful Brexit vote on June 23. Farage had attempted to resign after the disappointing May 2015 elections, but later withdrew his resignation and remained as party leader.
Today I have decided to stand aside as Leader of @UKIP. I have got my country back, now I want my life back https://t.co/gUiXrfBQnP
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) July 4, 2016
A statement released to UKIP's website said that his "political ambition has been achieved" with the Brexit vote and that he did not want to be a career politician.
I have decided to stand aside as Leader of UKIP. The victory for the 'Leave' side in the referendum means that my political ambition has been achieved. I came into this struggle from business because I wanted us to be a self-governing nation, not to become a career politician.
UKIP is in a good position and will continue, with my full support to attract a significant vote. Whilst we will now leave the European Union the terms of our withdrawal are unclear. If there is too much backsliding by the Government and with the Labour Party detached from many of its voters then UKIP's best days may be yet to come.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you the membership for your extraordinary support and generosity over the many years, I could not have done it without you.
Farage's resignation is the latest twist in the aftermath of the Brexit vote. Prime Minister David Cameron announced his resignation, and will depart 10 Downing Street sometime later this fall. It was basically assumed that former Mayor of London Boris Johnson would win party leadership elections and assume the role of PM, but then he withdrew his candidacy. Over on the Labour side, pressure is mounting for Leader Jeremy Corbyn to resign.
Looks like things will get very interesting for the U.K. in the coming months.