Nigel Farage

Nigel Farage (born 03 April 1964, Farnborough) is a British politician who was the leader of the UK Independence Party from 1999-2009, then 2010-July 2016. He was a founder of is an MEP for UKIP since 20.07.1999 (re-elected).European Parliament, MEP Directory: Nigel Farage, accessed 06 November 2010.
==Education==
Born in London, Farage was educated at Dulwich College, London.
==Resignations==
===May 2015 elections===
Farage resigned as leader of UKIP having failed to gain the seat of Thanet South during the 2015 general elections. Speaking about his defeat, he insisted he had 'never felt happier', with a 'weight lifted off his shoulders'. Nigel Farage resigns as UKIP leader as the party vote rises, BBC News, 8 May 2015. Accessed 06 October 2016. 
He re-joined the leadership seat after 4 days, as the party had found 'overwhelmingly evidence' that UKIP members did not want Farage to go. Farage stays as UKIP leader after resignation rejected, BBC News, 11 May 2015. Accessed 06 October 2016. 
In March 2017, the pressure group Hope Not Hate called on Kent Police to investigate claims that Farage exceeded his spending limits during the 2015 general election campaign. Jordan Bhatt, Kent Police urged to investigate Nigel Farage expenses from 2015 election in South Thanet, IBT, 16 March 2017, accessed 22 March 2017. The group allege that Farage's campaign failed to appropriately declare at least £26,302 in its electoral returns, and possibly well over £35,000, spent on campaign staff, billboards and mobile ad-vans. Farage strongly rejected the claims. Calls to investigate South Thanet UKIP election costs, BBC News, 22 February 2017, accessed 22 March 2017. 
===Brexit referendum 2016===
After the victory for the 'Leave' camp, Nigel Farage resigned as leader once more, saying he had fulfilled his political ambitions and that it was time for him to take a rest. Speaking at a press conference in Westminster, he said: 'During the referendum I said I wanted my country back … now I want my life back.' Rowena Mason, Robert Booth and Amelia Gentleman, Nigel Farage resigns as Ukip leader after 'achieving political ambition' of Brexit, The Guardian, 04 July 2016. Accessed 06 October 2016. 
However, Farage also decided to stay on as leader of the party’s group in the European parliament, creating a separate power base in Brussels and wielding some influence over funding. UK: Diane James Elected First Female Leader of Ukip, Independent, September 16, 2016. Accessed 06 October 2016. 
==Comments after Paris attacks==
Following the January 2015 attacks in Paris including the murder of 12 people at the offices of magazine Charlie Hebdo, Farage commented:
::We do have, I'm afraid, I'm sad to say, a fifth column that is living within our own countries, that is utterly opposed to our values.
::We're going to have to be a lot braver and a lot more courageous in standing up for our Judeo-Christian culture.
Farage's comments, which seemed to imply generalised Muslim responsibility and to paint Muslims as external to European society and cultural heritage, were criticised by other politicians. Liberal Democrat Tim Farron said 'Nigel Farage's politics of blame has no place in modern, diverse and tolerant Britain'.UKIP's Nigel Farage urges 'Judeo-Christian' defence after Paris attacks, BBC News, accessed 12 February 2015
==Affiliations==
*Member, Conference of Presidents
*Member, Committee on Fisheries
===Former Affiliations===
*Member, Conference of Presidents
*Substitute, Committee on Fisheries
==Record and Controversies==
===Declaration of Financial Interests===
Paid Functions or Activities:
*Journalism
*Commodity Banking
Support Received in Connection with Political Activities:
*Financial: Office provided free of rent - granted by J. Longhurst
Further Information:
*Employment of Kirsten FarageEuropean Parliament, Declaration of Members' Financial Interests: Nigel Farage, 16 July 2009, accessed 04 November 2009.
====Former Declaration of Financial Interests====
Paid Functions or Activities:
*Journalism
*Commodity Banking
Support Received in Connection with Political Activities:
*In terms of staff: granted by J.Longhurst
*In terms of material: Office accommodation free of rentEuropean Parliament, Declaration of Members' Financial Interests: Nigel Farage, 22 February 2008, accessed 08 February 2009.
===Record of Parliamentary Votes===
*Abstained from voting the directive on "establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy" (A5-0027/2000). The directive covers all water management aspects in order to achieve a 'good status' of all waters by 2015.Friends of the Earth, EU Vote Watch, accessed 02 February 2009.
*Abstained from voting the directive on "national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants" (A5-0063/2000). The amendment allows setting less ambitious national emission ceilings for sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ammonia (NH3) and volatile organic compounds (VOC), which would result in more damage to human health and the environment.Friends of the Earth, EU Vote Watch, accessed 02 February 2009.
*Voted against the directive on "waste electrical and electronic equipment" (A5-0100/2002). The amendment sets higher reuse and recycling rates for IT and telecommunication equipment.Friends of the Earth, EU Vote Watch, accessed 02 February 2009. Rejected due to lack of absolute majority.
*Abstained from voting the report on "Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network" (A5-0135/2002). The Trans-European Network of Transport (TEN-T) is a network of so-called 'transport corridors' through Europe. This amendment calls for a full Strategic Environmental Assessment of these transport corridors and calls on the Commission to improve methods for analysing the environmental and economic impact of the TEN-T.Friends of the Earth, EU Vote Watch, accessed 02 February 2009.
*Voted against the regulation concerning "traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms and traceability of food and feed products produced from genetically modified organisms" (A5-0229/2002). The amendment allows customers the right to choose GM free food.Friends of the Earth, EU Vote Watch, accessed 02 February 2009.
*Voted against the directive on "environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage" (A5-0145/2003). According to the amendment, polluters have to pay for environmental clean-up, and it supports an EU-wide regime which makes polluters liable for the damage they cause to wildlife, water and land.Friends of the Earth, EU Vote Watch, accessed 02 February 2009.
*Voted against the directive on restructuring the "Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity" (A5-0302/2003). The amendment aims at giving tax benefits to environmentally friendly sources of energy, which would make them cheaper and more competitive to conventional (more polluting) sources of energy. It also gives tax benefits to environmentally friendly uses of energy for transport, for instance trains.Friends of the Earth, EU Vote Watch, accessed 02 February 2009. Rejected due to lack of absolute majority.
==Personal Information==
===Curriculum Vitae===
*Secondary education. Has worked for British, French and American companies operating in the commodity markets, especially the London Metal Exchange (since 1982).
*In the UK Independence Party: 
:National Chairman (1998-2000); 
:Chairman of the European Election Committee (2002-2004); 
:Chairman, South East Counties (since 1999); 
:National spokesman (since 2000).
*Member of the European Parliament (since 1999). 
*Vice-Chairman of the EDD Group (1999-2004).
===Contact===	
:Address:
:Parlement européen
:Bât. Altiero Spinelli
:04F158
:60, rue Wiertz / Wiertzstraat 60
:B-1047 Bruxelles/Brussel
:Phone:
:+32 (0)2 28 45855
:Fax:
:+32 (0)2 28 49855
:Email:
:nigel.farage AT europarl.europa.eu
:Website: 
:
==Resources==
*European Parliament, Declaration of Members' Financial Interests: Nigel Farage, 22 February 2008, accessed 08 February 2009.
*European Parliament, Declaration of Members' Financial Interests: Nigel Farage, 16 July 2009, accessed 04 November 2009.
*European Parliament, MEP Directory: Nigel Farage, accessed 08 February 2009.
*European Parliament, MEP Directory: Nigel Farage, accessed 06 November 2010.
*Friends of the Earth, EU Vote Watch, accessed 07 February 2009.
==Notes==
Farage, Nigel
Farage, Nigel
Farage, Nigel
Farage, Nigel
Farage, Nigel
Farage, Nigel
Category:Brexit lobbyist - Leave
Farage, Nigel