Diane James
Diane Martine James (born 20 November 1959) is a British politician who was a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for South East England from 2014 to 2019. She was briefly leader-elect of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) from September 2016 to October 2016, but resigned before formalising her leadership. At the time of her election to the European Parliament, James was one of three UKIP MEPs for South East England, before joining the Brexit Party in 2019.
Diane James | |
|---|---|
James in 2014 | |
| Leader of the UK Independence Party | |
| Designate 16 September 2016 – 4 October 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Nigel Farage |
| Succeeded by | Paul Nuttall |
| Deputy Chair of the UK Independence Party | |
| In office 24 February 2016 – 16 September 2016 Serving with The Earl of Dartmouth | |
| Leader | Nigel Farage |
| Preceded by | Suzanne Evans |
| Succeeded by | Suzanne Evans |
| UKIP Home Affairs and Justice Spokesperson | |
| In office 21 July 2014 – 16 September 2016 | |
| Leader | Nigel Farage |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Jane Collins |
| Member of the European Parliament for South East England | |
| In office 1 July 2014 – 1 July 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Sharon Bowles |
| Succeeded by | Alexandra Phillips |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 November 1959 Bedford, England |
| Political party | Reform UK (formerly Brexit Party; since 2019) |
| Other political affiliations | Independent (2007–2011; 2016–2019) UK Independence Party (2011–2016) Conservative (before 2007) |
| Alma mater | University of West London |
| Website | dianejamesmep.com |
James was born in Bedford in 1959, and was a councillor on Waverley Borough Council from 2007 until 2015, when she lost the seat to the Conservative Party. 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 that she was leaving UKIP and would henceforth sit as an Independent. The length of her tenure was met with significant public and press ridicule.