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UKIP set to announce new leader UKIP set to announce new leader
(about 6 hours later)
The UK Independence Party (UKIP) is set to unveil its next leader following Roger Knapman's decision to step down. The UK Independence Party (UKIP) is set to unveil who will take over as its leader from Roger Knapman.
Around 4,000 members voted for four candidates, following hustings in July and a ballot last month.Around 4,000 members voted for four candidates, following hustings in July and a ballot last month.
The four contenders are party chairman David Campbell Bannerman, Nigel Farage MEP, David Noakes and Richard Suchorzewski, chairman of UKIP Wales.The four contenders are party chairman David Campbell Bannerman, Nigel Farage MEP, David Noakes and Richard Suchorzewski, chairman of UKIP Wales.
Mr Farage, leader of UKIP's MEPs, is viewed as the favourite to take over from Mr Knapman.Mr Farage, leader of UKIP's MEPs, is viewed as the favourite to take over from Mr Knapman.
He faces strong competition from Mr Campbell Bannerman, who defected from the Tories four years ago.He faces strong competition from Mr Campbell Bannerman, who defected from the Tories four years ago.
EU withdrawalEU withdrawal
Mr Suchorzewski, another Tory defector, has also mounted a vigorous campaign and - despite being a UKIP member for just two years - claims to have the most endorsements from party members.Mr Suchorzewski, another Tory defector, has also mounted a vigorous campaign and - despite being a UKIP member for just two years - claims to have the most endorsements from party members.
Mr Noakes is seen as the dark horse of the contest - but his message that the EU is a "police state" could find favour with grass roots members.Mr Noakes is seen as the dark horse of the contest - but his message that the EU is a "police state" could find favour with grass roots members.
Mr Knapman is set to formally announce his successor at a gathering in central London on Tuesday afternoon. Mr Knapman is set to formally announce his successor later at a gathering in central London.
UKIP MEP and former leader Jeffrey Titford said the party was ready for a change.
He told BBC News: "Whoever comes through, you're going to find that we're going to be involved far more with national politics and not so much selling the European line.
"We've won the European argument, the European Parliament argument, what we're looking for now is to get into British national politics and I think that will be right up on the agenda of the new leader."
UKIP's best known policy is a pledge to withdraw the UK from the European Union if it is elected into power.UKIP's best known policy is a pledge to withdraw the UK from the European Union if it is elected into power.
It has never had anyone elected to the House of Commons, but had 12 Euro MPs elected when it finished third in the last European Parliament elections, with 16% of all votes. It has never had anyone elected to the House of Commons, but gained 12 Euro MPs it finished third in 2004's European Parliament elections, with 16% of all votes.
The party did not do as well as it had hoped at last year's election, losing its deposit in more than 450 seats, but it has begun to establish itself as a force in Westminster by-elections, coming third in two recent contests. The party did not do as well as it had hoped at last year's general election, losing its deposit in more than 450 seats, but it has begun to establish itself as a force in Westminster by-elections, coming third in two recent contests.