Diane James
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Diane James MEP |
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|---|---|
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| Leader of the UK Independence Party Elect |
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In office 16 September 2016 – 4 October 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Nigel Farage |
| Succeeded by | Nigel Farage (Acting) |
| Deputy Chair of the UK Independence Party | |
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In office 24 February 2016 – 16 September 2016 Served with William Dartmouth |
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| Leader | Nigel Farage |
| Preceded by | Suzanne Evans |
| Succeeded by | Suzanne Evans |
| UKIP Home Affairs and Justice Spokesperson | |
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In office 21 July 2014 – 16 September 2016 |
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| Leader | Nigel Farage |
| Preceded by | position established |
| Succeeded by | Jane Collins |
| Member of the European Parliament for South East England |
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Assumed office 1 July 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Sharon Bowles |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 November 1959 |
| Political party |
Independent (2007–11, 2016–present) UK Independence Party (2011–16) Conservative (before 2007) |
| Alma mater | University of West London |
| Website | Parliament website |
Diane Martine James (born 20 November 1959) is a British politician and an independent Member of the European Parliament. James was briefly leader-elect of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) but resigned before formalising her leadership, and used to be one of three UKIP Members of the European Parliament for South East England.
James was born in Bedford and was a councillor on Waverley Borough Council from 2007 to May 2015, when she lost the seat to the Conservatives. She was elected to the European Parliament in 2014. Following the resignation of Nigel Farage, she was elected leader of UKIP in September 2016 as his successor. She resigned from the leadership of the party on 4 October 2016, 18 days after being elected. On 21 November 2016, James announced she was leaving UKIP and would henceforth be sitting as an independent.
James was educated at Rochester Grammar School, Kent and Thames Valley University, Slough.
James was elected to Waverley Borough Council as an Independent representing Ewhurst ward after falling out with local Conservatives in 2007. She announced she was joining UKIP shortly after the 2011 election but refused to stand down and fight a by-election. She lost her seat in 2015 after standing as the UKIP candidate in the election. Her fellow UKIP councillors all lost their seats at the 2015 election.
James came second in the 2013 Eastleigh by-election with 27.8% of the vote, an increase of 24.2% on the 2010 figure. She was elected to the European Parliament in 2014. James was the party's Home Affairs spokesperson, represented UKIP on the BBC's Question Time, and took part in debates at the Cambridge Union Society.
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