Jeffrey Titford, Former UKIP Leader, Passes Away at 90
Jeffrey Titford, a former leader of the UK Independence Party, has died aged 90. Known as 'one of the fathers of Brexit,' Titford was an early MEP for UKIP and a fervent advocate for Britain's exit from the European Union. His efforts culminated in the UK’s official departure from the EU in 2020.
Jeffrey Titford, the former leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and the party's first Member of European Parliament (MEP) for the East of England, has died at the age of 90.
Known as 'one of the fathers of Brexit,' Titford was originally an undertaker from Essex before starting his political career as a Conservative councillor in Clacton.
He later joined the Referendum Party, which merged with UKIP. In 1999, he was elected as one of the first UKIP politicians to the European Parliament.
A fervent Euro-sceptic, Titford dedicated his retirement to advocating for Britain's exit from the European Union.
His efforts saw fruition with the UK's 2016 Brexit referendum and subsequent official departure from the EU in 2020.
He also ran in the 1997 general election as a candidate for the Referendum Party and was instrumental in UKIP's success in the first proportional representation European elections in 1999.
Remembered for his calm leadership and ability to resolve party infighting, Jeffrey Titford served as UKIP leader from 2000 to 2002 and briefly in 2010.
His friend Stuart Gulleford called him 'a visionary and a democrat' who did not see EU membership as viable for Britain.