London: Leading Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage on Monday stepped down as leader of the UK Independence Party as the shockwaves from Britain’s decision to quit the EU continued to rock the political order.
“I have decided to stand aside as leader of UKIP,” he told a London press conference. “The victory for the ‘Leave’ side in the referendum means that my political ambition has been achieved.” The 52-year-old vowed to watch Britain’s renegotiation process with the EU “like a hawk” as he continued to serve as an MEP in Brussels. “If there is too much backsliding... then UKIP’s best days may be yet to come,” he said.
Prime Minister David Cameron resigned after the referendum result, sparking a leadership contest in his ruling Conservative party. Farage’s decision to give up his party’s leadership comes just days after fellow Brexit campaign leader, flamboyant former London mayor Boris Johnson, pulled out of the race to succeed Cameron.
Farage said whoever was next chosen to lead the country should be a “Brexit prime minister”. He also offered his services to “other independence movements springing up in other parts of EU”.
Meanwhile, finance minister George Osborne said he will seek to slash corporation tax over fears of a business exodus following the referendum.
