A largely unknown figure even within Ukip when the leadership election was called – Henry Bolton’s only prior role had been to stand as Kent’s police and crime commissioner – he has slowly built up a reputation as a competent technocrat who might help stabilise the party.
A former soldier and then police officer, Bolton later worked for the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and other international organisations in places including Kosovo and Macedonia.
While occasionally talking about Islam as a “problem” at hustings, much of Bolton’s pitch was based on his promised ability to put Ukip on a more professional footing, and unify the various factions that have battled each other for years.
This task could be complicated by a couple of issues, one of which is his lack of obvious charisma. “Henry is very organised but you can’t exactly see him wowing everyone on the Daily Politics,” said a senior party figure.
Another potential issue is that a party that likes to style itself as the insurgent upstart has selected the most establishment leader it could.
Another Ukip figure said: “There’s lots of people in Ukip who like to say we challenge the elites. Well, Henry’s background and OBE make him look like part of the elite.”
