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Nuttall quits as boss of irrelevant Ukip

by Felicity Collier

PAUL NUTTALL quit as Ukip leader yesterday after a carcrash general election.

Ukip failed to gain a single seat in Westminster and Mr Nuttall dropped to third in Boston and Skegness, haemorrhaging over 10,000 votes in the constituency with the highest Leave vote in last year’s EU referendum.

He said: “It is clear that Ukip requires a new focus, new ideas and a new energy.”

Mr Nuttall insisted Ukip was “more relevant than ever” — though the public appeared to disagree, with the share of the vote dopping by nearly 11 points to 1.8 per cent.

Ukip announced that former chairman Steve Crowther had been “overwhelmingly” elected by the national executive committee to lead the party on an interim basis while the election of a permanent leader took place.

Campaign group Stand Up To Racism said the election result was a victory for the anti-racist, anti-austerity leadership of the Labour Party.

Co-convenor Sabby Dhalu said: “Theresa May refused to guarantee EU nationals’ rights, reneged on the Dubs amendment on taking in child refugees, refused to condemn Donald Trump’s Muslim ban and rolled out the red carpet for him.

“The Tory government ruthlessly attacked the living standards of British people and arrogantly thought by blaming immigrants they could get away with it. They did not.

“This election is a slap in the face for austerity and dog-whistle politics and signals a new dawn for progressive anti-austerity and anti-racism politics.”

Calling for Ms May to resign, Communist Party general secretary Rob Griffiths added: “Twelve million people have voted for a left-wing Labour manifesto and a majority of electors have rejected austerity policies.

“The Tories have no mandate for five months of public spending cuts, never mind another five years.”

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