The Daily Politics

UKIP's only MP Douglas Carswell says he thinks he will have a better relationship with the party's MEP Diane James if she succeeds Nigel Farage as leader.

Mr Farage and the Clacton MP, who defected from the Conservatives to join UKIP in 2014, are known to have had a rocky relationship.

Asked if he will get on better with Ms James if she wins the top job, Mr Carswell said: "Very much so."

He said they both had in common the fact they had stood in by-elections.

The Daily Politics

Daily Politics political reporter Ellie Price, reporting from UKIP's conference in Bournemouth, says "the smart money" is on MEP Diane James for leader.

But she says there's a suggestion that UKIP councillor Lisa Duffy "might make it a bit tough" for Ms James.

Andrew Neil
Presenter, The Daily Politics

The Daily Politics

UKIP MEP Tim Aker says the party is doing well, particularly at the local level.

"We're seeing, since the referendum, UKIP wins at local government level ... and we're getting more people coming to us, from all parties and none," he said.

He conceded "it would be foolish to say there haven't been disagreements" within the party.

But he hopes the new leader will help re-energise the party.

Nigel Farage finishes his final speech to the UKIP conference by saying that his political career is not over - and he for once is going to speak his mind.

He will continue to lead a group in the European Commission, sitting next to president, Jean-Claude Juncker "and making my constructive contributions", he said.

"I want my country back, but now folks I want my life back."

He thanked the party for helping him "change the course of British history", before leaving the Bournemouth stage to a further standing ovation.

Nigel Farage says he has "put absolutely all of me" into Britain quitting the European Union.

"I literally couldn't have worked any harder, or couldn't have been more determined - it's been my life's work to get to this point," he said.

"I think folks, I've done my bit."

Holding up a copy of the burgundy European passport held by British people, Nigel Farage says: "The only time we'll know Brexit means Brexit is when that has been put in the bin and we get a British passport."

Nigel Farage says one of the problems with UKIP's "success" is it attracts people to the party who "don't do it for altruistic aims, but are motivated by their own professional careers in politics".

His comments could be seen as a side swipe at the party's only MP, Douglas Carswell.

Mr Farage says things "need to change", but he knows from the referendum campaign "and since, I know this party is united - I know this party is strong".

Nigel Farage says he wishes the next leader of UKIP "the very best of luck" - suggesting it is likely to be a woman - and he pledges "not to meddle... not to try to influence".

But he says if the new leader needs help or advice, he is still "four square behind this party and its aims".

Nigel Farage says he has "a feeling things are beginning to change" following the Brexit vote.

Despite Theresa May saying "Brexit means Brexit", he says she had indicated at the recent G20 summit that the British people had voted for "some control" over the movement of people in the EU.

He added - to big cheers from activists - : "No prime minister we voted for control of our borders - simple as."

Nigel Farage tells UKIP supporters that "without us there would've been no referendum".

"Together we have changed the course of British history," he says.

"And we've brought down a prime minister, and we've got rid of the chancellor... And we've got rid of a European commissioner."

Nigel Farage says being part of UKIP "is a bit like a big dipper ride" with successes, failures and internal warfare.

"We weren't frightened to talk honestly and openly about the need for sensible immigration in this country," he adds.

Nigel Farage is giving the UKIP conference a potted history of his involvement in the party.

He is talking about how he stood in Eastleigh following the death of its MP, failed to win the seat, but beat "the late great Screaming Lord Sutch" from the Monster Raving Loony Party.

Nigel Farage gets a standing ovation as he begins his final speech to UKIP after he stepped down as the party leader.

He opens by saying to cheers at the party's conference in Bournemouth: "We did it, we got our country back."

He said the UK's decision to leave the EU "felt like a fairytale".

Wrapping up his final Labour leadership contest speech in London, Owen Smith is asked whether he will repeat a claim that the contest is on a "knife edge" - after a poll suggested Mr Corbyn would win.

"Don't write me off before the final whistle is all I would ask," he says.

"Whether this is on a knife edge or not - there's still all to play for," he says, adding that many Labour Party members have still not voted.   

And that's it from the event - with just over a week to go before the result is announced. Here's a link to the story on Jeremy Corbyn's speech yesterday.