2009 UK Independence Party leadership election

United Kingdom independence party (UKIP) leadership election April 2022 2009 UK Independence Party leadership election presidential no 2006 UK Independence Party leadership election 2006 2010 UK Independence Party leadership election 2010 2009 x160px Lord Pearson 4,743 47.7% x160px Gerard Batten 2,571 25.9% x160px Nikki Sinclaire 1,214 12.2% x160px Mike Nattrass 1,092 11.0% Alan Wood 315 3.2% Leader Nigel Farage Lord Pearson The UK Independence Party (UKIP) held a leadership election in 2009, with ballots closing on 26 November.Farage accused of UKIP 'insult'", BBC News, 12 November 2009 The election was won by Malcolm Pearson." Lord Pearson elected leader of UK Independence Party", BBC News, 27 November 2009 The Eurosceptic party had been led by Nigel Farage since he won the 2006 leadership election. He announced his resignation from the post in September 2009, stating that he wanted to devote more time to his campaign for a seat in the House of Commons."Farage to quit as leader of UKIP", BBC News, 4 September 2009 Candidates There were five candidates for the election. Gerard Batten was a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and stood unsuccessfully in the 2008 London mayoral election. His main policies were to broaden the party's policies beyond Euroscepticism, and to focus on winning representation at Westminster."UKIP leadership: Runners and riders", BBC News, 19 November 2009 Mike Nattrass was also an MEP. His main policies were to focus on the upcoming general election, opposition to the Conservative Party, and to reject a merger with similar parties elsewhere in Europe. Lord Pearson was a member of the House of Lords. Originally appointed as a Conservative Party peer, he joined UKIP in 2007. His main policies included a focus on direct democracy and on opposition to Islamism. He had the support of Farage, who declared that Pearson was the only "serious, credible" candidate."Farage backs peer for UKIP leader", BBC News, 11 November 2008 He also had the support of the party's deputy leader, David Campbell Bannerman, who had been expected to stand in the election. The Daily Telegraph declared in September that Pearson was the favourite to win the election.Andrew Porter, "Former Tory peer favourite for Ukip leadership", The Daily Telegraph, 15 September 2009 Nikki Sinclaire was another MEP. Her main policies were to professionalise the party, introducing a shadow cabinet, and to focus on communication through the media. Alan Wood was UKIP's nominating officer and a district councillor. His main policy was to focus on an alliance with other Eurosceptic parties, although not with the British National Party. He was also opposed to Pearson's policy of prioritising anti-Islamism. Result Pearson was elected, taking almost half of the votes cast. UK Independence Party leadership election, 2009CandidateVotes%Lord Pearson4,74347.7Gerard Batten2,57125.9Nikki Sinclaire1,21412.2Mike Nattrass1,09211.0Alan Wood3153.2Turnout 9,935This figure includes only votes for the candidates, and does not include any spoilt or void ballots. References 2009 Category:2009 political party leadership elections in the United Kingdom