UK Independence Party, a.k.a. UKIP

The UK Independence Party, commonly known as UKIP, was a British political party that was founded in 1993. It was known for its anti-EU stance and its love for Nigel Farage, its founder and charismatic leader.

The party’s symbol was a purple pound sign, which was a visual representation of the party’s belief that the UK should leave the European Union and take control of its own currency. This was a novel idea, since the UK had already done so, in 1971.

UKIP had a colorful cast of characters who represented the party in various elections. In 2014, UKIP won the European Parliamentary elections in the UK, securing 24 seats. This was a major victory for the party, and it catapulted them to national attention.

In the lead-up to the 2015 general election, UKIP was touted as a “kingmaker” party, with the potential to hold the balance of power in the event of a hung parliament. However, this didn’t quite pan out, and the party ended up winning only one seat in the House of Commons.

Despite this setback, UKIP remained a force to be reckoned with in British politics. It continued to push for Britain to leave the EU, and in 2016, it got its wish. In a referendum, the British people voted to leave the EU, and UKIP declared victory.

However, after the Brexit vote, UKIP struggled to remain relevant. Its charismatic leader Nigel Farage stepped down, and the party was plagued by infighting and scandal. In 2018, the party’s new leader, Henry Bolton, resigned after his ex-girlfriend was found to have made racist comments about Meghan Markle.

In 2019, UKIP was dissolved and replaced by another party, the Brexit Party. So, UKIP’s legacy is a mixed bag. On the one hand, it played a key role in the Brexit vote. On the other hand, it was a party that was often associated with racism, and it ultimately fizzled out.