Diane James does not have the flamboyance or easy television charm of Nigel Farage, her predecessor as leader of Ukip. Ukip elects Diane James as new party leader Read moreBut the 56-year-old businesswoman from Surrey appears to have been picked as a safe and sensible pair of hands on the party helm at a time when it faces an existential threat. Since then, James has gradually worked her way up through the ranks of the party, first as immigration spokeswoman, then MEP and now deputy leader. The worry is that she will be guided too much by Farage and Banks,” says one Ukip official. “Diane is one of those people who, when she’s on the media looks like she’s always done it.

Source: The Guardian September 16, 2016 12:43 UTC