Steven Woolfe: Difference between revisions
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{{Other people5|Steven Wolf (disambiguation)}} |
{{Other people5|Steven Wolf (disambiguation)}} |
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{{Use British English|date=October 2019}} |
{{Use British English|date=October 2019}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date= |
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}} |
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{{Infobox officeholder |
{{Infobox officeholder |
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| name = Steven Woolfe |
| name = Steven Woolfe |
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| image = Steven_Woolfe_UKIPNEC.jpg |
| image = Steven_Woolfe_UKIPNEC.jpg |
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| caption = Woolfe in 2013 |
| caption = Woolfe in 2013 |
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| office = [[UK Independence Party|UKIP]] [[Home Office|Spokesperson for Immigration]] |
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| leader = [[Nigel Farage]] |
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| term_start = |
| term_start = 1 July 2014 |
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| term_end = |
| term_end = 1 July 2019 |
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| predecessor = [[ |
| predecessor = [[Robert Atkins (politician)|Robert Atkins]] |
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| successor = |
| successor = [[David Bull (politician)|David Bull]] |
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| title1 = UKIP portfolios |
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| office1 = [[UK Independence Party|UKIP]] [[HM Treasury|Spokesperson for Economics]] |
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| suboffice1 = [[HM Treasury|Economics]] |
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| subterm1 = 2014 |
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| suboffice2 = [[Home Office|Immigration]] |
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| term_end1 = 24 July 2014 |
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| subterm2 = 2015–2016 |
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| predecessor1 = [[Godfrey Bloom]] |
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| birth_name = Steven Marcus Woolfe |
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| successor1 = [[Patrick O'Flynn]] |
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| term_start2 = [[2014 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|1 July 2014]] |
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| term_end2 = [[2019 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|1 July 2019]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Key dates ahead|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/elections-press-kit/0/key-dates-ahead|publisher=[[European Parliament]]|accessdate=28 May 2019|date=20 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Key dates ahead|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48365702|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|website=[[BBC News Online]]|accessdate=28 May 2019|date=22 May 2017}}</ref> |
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| predecessor2 = [[Robert Atkins (politician)|Robert Atkins]] |
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| successor2 = [[David Bull (politician)|David Bull]] |
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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|10|06|df=y}} |
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|10|06|df=y}} |
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| birth_place = [[Moss Side]], [[Manchester]], England |
| birth_place = [[Moss Side]], [[Manchester]], England |
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| death_date = |
| death_date = |
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| death_place = |
| death_place = |
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| nationality = British |
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| party = [[Independent politician|Independent]] (since 2016) |
| party = [[Independent politician|Independent]] (since 2016) |
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| education = [[St Bede's College, Manchester|St. Bede's College]], [[Manchester]] |
| education = [[St Bede's College, Manchester|St. Bede's College]], [[Manchester]] |
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| alma_mater = [[Aberystwyth University]];<br />[[City Law School]] |
| alma_mater = [[Aberystwyth University]];<br />[[City Law School]] |
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| website = {{URL|https://stevenwoolfe.uk/}} |
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| otherparty = [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] (2000–2010)<br />[[UK Independence Party|UKIP]] (2010–2016) |
| otherparty = [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] (2000–2010)<br />[[UK Independence Party|UKIP]] (2010–2016) |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Steven Marcus Woolfe''' (born 6 October 1967) is a British politician |
'''Steven Marcus Woolfe''' (born 6 October 1967) is a British barrister, writer, commentator and former politician. He is currently the Director of the Centre for Migration & Economic Prosperity<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 February 2023 |title=The Centre for Migration & Economic Prosperity |url=https://cmep.co.uk/ |website=The Centre for Migration & Economic Prosperity}}</ref> a research think tank studying population and immigration into the UK, Europe and US. He was a [[Member of the European Parliament]] (MEP) for [[North West England (European Parliament constituency)|North West England]] from [[2014 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|2014]] until [[2019 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|2019]]. From 2014 he was a UKIP MEP but resigned to become an Independent MEP in October 2016 following his opposition to the party's overly negative policy on immigration. He remained independent until July 2019. |
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Woolfe was born in [[Moss Side]] in [[Manchester]] and studied law at [[Aberystwyth University]], after which he worked as a barrister and a general counsel. He was elected to UKIP's National Executive Committee (NEC) in 2011 and was elected at the [[2014 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|2014 European Parliament election]]. He later contested [[Stockport (UK Parliament constituency)|Stockport]] as the UKIP candidate at the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]]. |
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Woolfe was born in [[Moss Side]] in [[Manchester]] and grew up on a council estate in Burnage. His maternal grandmother Christine emigrated to Britain from Ireland and married James, an Englishman. Both his parents were born in Manchester: His father was mixed race born to a [[British Jewish]] mother and a [[Black American]] father.<ref>{{cite web |title=British Future Speech 2016 – Steven Woolfe MEP, UKIP Spokesman on Migration and Financial Affairs |url=http://www.stevenwoolfe.uk/british-future-speech-2016.html |access-date=15 July 2016 |publisher=Stevenwoolfe.uk}}</ref> He abandoned Woolfe and his brother as a small child. |
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Woolfe is the eldest of a family of four, His younger [[half-brother]] is [[Nathan Woolfe]], a footballer who has played for various clubs as a [[Striker (association football)|striker]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Richard |date=22 November 2014 |title=Ukip runner says Stockport's 'fear of Manchester' is like apartheid-era South Africa |work=Mancunian Matters |url=http://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/221171754-ukip-runner-says-stockports-fear-manchester-apartheid-era-south-africa |access-date=18 July 2016}}</ref> |
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Woolfe was considered a frontrunner in [[September 2016 UK Independence Party leadership election|UKIP's September 2016 leadership election]] but was excluded from the race after submitting his nomination late. After [[Diane James]] resigned from the party leadership, he stood in the [[November 2016 UK Independence Party leadership election|second UKIP leadership election of 2016]] but withdrew after he was allegedly injured during an altercation with a fellow UKIP MEP. He resigned from UKIP in October 2016. |
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He attended St Bernard's Roman Catholic Primary School, a [[voluntary aided school|voluntary-aided]] state-maintained school in [[Burnage]].,<ref name="GECO">{{cite web |title=GECO – General Election Campaign Outlook – Steven Woolfe MEP |url=http://www.mhpc.com/election2015/candidates/steven-woolfe/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129021355/http://www.mhpc.com/election2015/candidates/steven-woolfe/ |archive-date=29 November 2014 |access-date=19 November 2014 }}</ref> As a child of a single mother he won a scholarship to [[St Bede's College, Manchester|St Bede's College]], a co-educational [[independent school]] in the Manchester suburb of [[Whalley Range, Manchester|Whalley Range]], where he excelled in sport, debating and study. |
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Woolfe, the eldest of a family of four, was born in [[Moss Side]], in [[Manchester]], and grew up in the Manchester suburb of [[Burnage]].<ref name=GECO>{{cite web|url=http://www.mhpc.com/election2015/candidates/steven-woolfe/|title=GECO – General Election Campaign Outlook – Steven Woolfe MEP|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129021355/http://www.mhpc.com/election2015/candidates/steven-woolfe/|archive-date=29 November 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> His younger [[half-brother]] is [[Nathan Woolfe]], a footballer who has played for various clubs as a [[Striker (association football)|striker]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Brown|first1=Richard|title=Ukip runner says Stockport's 'fear of Manchester' is like apartheid-era South Africa|url=http://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/221171754-ukip-runner-says-stockports-fear-manchester-apartheid-era-south-africa|accessdate=18 July 2016|work=Mancunian Matters|date=22 November 2014}}</ref> Both his parents were born in Manchester: his mother to an Irish mother, and his English father to a [[British Jewish]] mother and a [[Black American]] father.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stevenwoolfe.uk/british-future-speech-2016.html |title=British Future Speech 2016 – Steven Woolfe MEP, UKIP Spokesman on Migration and Financial Affairs |publisher=Stevenwoolfe.uk |date= |accessdate=2016-07-15}}</ref> |
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He read law at [[Aberystwyth University]], won several awards and graduated with a [[Bachelor of Laws]] (LLB) degree in 1990. |
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Woolfe was educated at St Bernard's Roman Catholic Primary School, a [[voluntary aided school|voluntary-aided]] state-maintained school in Burnage, followed by [[St Bede's College, Manchester|St Bede's College]], a co-educational [[independent school]] in the Manchester suburb of [[Whalley Range, Manchester|Whalley Range]], to which he won a scholarship. He studied law at [[Aberystwyth University]] graduating with a [[Bachelor of Laws]] (LLB) degree in 1990. He pursued further studies at the [[Inns of Court School of Law]] in London, before being [[called to the Bar]].<ref name=GECO/> |
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==Legal career== |
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He pursued further studies at the [[Inns of Court School of Law]] in London, before being [[called to the Bar]] at The Inner Temple<ref name="GECO" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Inner Temple |url=https://www.innertemple.org.uk/?yeJg3U |website=The Inner Temple}}</ref> He initially undertook pupillage at Francis Taylor Buildings before completing pupillage at 2 Harcourt Buildings (now 5 St Andrews Hill<ref>{{Cite web |title=5 St Andrew's Hill |url=https://www.5sah.co.uk/ |website=5SAH}}</ref>) where he practiced criminal and general common law. He continued at 5 Paper Buildings but did not take tenancy there as he moved into his first role as an Employed Barrister acting as General Counsel for a stockbroking firm Merchant Securities Limited. |
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Woolfe completed his BPTC (Bar Professional Training Course) with City Law School and was called to the Bar at the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple. However, Woolfe failed to secure pupillage and therefore was unable to practice as a Barrister. He spent several years as general counsel for [[hedge fund]] managers. He now{{when|date=May 2019}} also acts as a legal and regulatory consultant to financial institutions.<ref name=GECO/> |
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He moved to the Union Bank of Switzerland, London office in the legal and compliance department where managed the private banking, derivatives desks and anti money laundering procedures. He then went onto work for several investment banks such as Credit Suisse, Barclays Capital and Standard Bank as well as Aviva. |
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Before becoming interested in politics he spent several years as general counsel for [[hedge fund]] managers such as Boyer Allan Investment Management LLP. He co-founded the Hedge Fund lawyers Association and was its chair for 2010 to 2102. Since 2019 he has also acted as a legal and regulatory consultant to financial institutions.<ref name="GECO" /> |
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==Political career== |
==Political career== |
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Woolfe was introduced to [[UK Independence Party|UKIP]] by [[Lord Pearson of Rannoch]] and made his debut speech at UKIP's 2010 annual conference in [[Torquay]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK4xDm4u8jY|title=Steven Woolfe |
Woolfe was introduced to [[UK Independence Party|UKIP]] by [[Lord Pearson of Rannoch]] and made his debut speech at UKIP's 2010 annual conference in [[Torquay]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK4xDm4u8jY|title=Steven Woolfe – UKIP Conference 2010 – Part 1|publisher=Steven Woolfe|access-date=7 October 2016|via=YouTube}}</ref> In 2010 [[Nigel Farage]] declared his intention to stand in the UKIP leadership, he appointed Woolfe, who was not a member of UKIP, to his team of senior spokespeople, as Economics spokesman. In 2011, Woolfe was elected to UKIP's National Executive Committee. |
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Woolfe stood as a UKIP candidate for the [[City and East (London Assembly constituency)|City and East]] for the [[Greater London Authority]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Martin Hoscik |
Woolfe stood as a UKIP candidate for the [[City and East (London Assembly constituency)|City and East]] for the [[Greater London Authority]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Martin Hoscik|title=UKIP announces London Assembly candidates|date=24 January 2012 |url=http://www.mayorwatch.co.uk/ukip-announces-london-assembly-candidates/|access-date=4 July 2016|publisher=www.mayorwatch.co.uk}}</ref> in May 2012. |
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⚫ | In November 2012, Woolfe won UKIP's nomination to contest the [[Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner]] elections. Woolfe's campaign message was one of tough on [[crime]] and the support of [[community policing]]. He finished fifth, polling 23,256 votes (8.55%).<ref>{{cite web |title=Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Results 2012 |url=http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/362/elections_and_voting/4658/previous_election_results/3 |access-date=31 May 2014 |work=Manchester City Council}}</ref> |
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On 8 May 2014, Woolfe chaired a public meeting in [[Westminster]] promoting UKIP's Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) candidates despite Farage's initial opposition. His belief politics is about ideas not race succeeded in galvanising the membership<ref>{{cite web|last=Bennett |first=Owen |url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/474603/You-can-NEVER-call-us-racist-again-Ukip-s-black-and-ethnic-minority-members-fight-back |title='NEVER call us racist again' Ukip's black and ethnic minority candidates fight back |work=The Express |date=8 May 2014 |access-date=13 June 2014}}</ref> |
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⚫ | Woolfe was selected as number 3 on UKIP's regional party list in the [[2014 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|2014 European Parliament election]] in [[North West England (European Parliament constituency)|North West England]]. He was one of three candidates from the party to be elected as [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]] in the region.<ref>{{cite news|date=26 May 2014|title=Labour and UKIP secure three MEPs, wiping out BNP and Liberal Democrats|work=Manchester Evening News|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/european-elections-2014-labour-ukip-7171672| |
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⚫ | Woolfe was selected as number 3 on UKIP's regional party list in the [[2014 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|2014 European Parliament election]] in [[North West England (European Parliament constituency)|North West England]]. He was one of three candidates from the party to be elected as [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]] in the region.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 May 2014 |title=Labour and UKIP secure three MEPs, wiping out BNP and Liberal Democrats |work=Manchester Evening News |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/european-elections-2014-labour-ukip-7171672 |access-date=7 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vote2014 – North West |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/eu-regions/E15000002 |access-date=26 May 2014 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> |
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⚫ | From July 2014 until May 2015, Woolfe's |
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⚫ | In 2014 he became Spokesman for [[Human migration|migration policy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukip.org/ukip_leader_nigel_farage_announces_two_key_frontbench_spokesmen_roles_with_more_to_follow |title=leader Nigel Farage announces two key frontbench spokesmen roles with more to follow |publisher=UKIP |access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref> Woolfe called for a fair and ethical stance towards migration, stressing that migration should be based on merit, not on [[race (human classification)|race]], [[religion]], colour or [[creed]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Bennett|first=Asa|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/07/23/ukip-migration-steven-woolfe_n_5613441.html?1406129955 |title=Ukip's New Migration Spokesman Steven Woolfe On Party's 'Ethical Immigration Policy' |work= Huffington Post|date=23 July 2014|access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref> This policy was taken up by Vote Leave and the Conservative Party during and after the Brexit Referendum |
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⚫ | On 4 September 2014, Woolfe was chosen as UKIP's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for [[Stockport (UK Parliament constituency)|Stockport]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Holmes|first=David |
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⚫ | From July 2014 until May 2015, Woolfe's was responsible for macro policy and taxation and [[City of London]] spokesman. He advocated a simplified and lower [[tax]] regime for all, believing that the [[middle class]]es have been squeezed with the 40% tax band and has called for the 45% tax band to be abolished and replaced with a higher threshold for 40% band at £45,000. He has also called for those on [[minimum wage]] to be taken out of paying tax altogether.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ukip/10695004/Ukip-to-fight-2015-election-on-pledge-to-raise-40p-tax-threshold-to-45000.html |title=Ukip to fight 2015 election on pledge to raise 40p tax threshold to £45,000 |work=The Telegraph |date=14 March 2014 |access-date=13 June 2014}}</ref> |
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===Police and Crime Commissioner elections=== |
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⚫ | In November 2012, Woolfe won UKIP's nomination to contest the [[Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner]] elections. Woolfe's campaign message was one of tough on [[crime]] and the support of [[community policing]]. He finished fifth, polling 23,256 votes (8.55%).<ref>{{cite web|title=Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Results 2012|url=http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/362/elections_and_voting/4658/previous_election_results/3| |
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⚫ | On 4 September 2014, Woolfe was chosen as UKIP's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for [[Stockport (UK Parliament constituency)|Stockport]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Holmes|first=David|title=Chester: Ukip Euro MP to stand for Parliament|date=9 September 2014 |url=http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/chester-ukip-euro-mp-stand-7744553#.VBSAvj5Yvls.twitter|access-date=4 July 2016|publisher=Chester Chronicle}}</ref> Woolfe came third at the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]] with 13% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news|title=Stockport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000969|access-date=11 May 2015|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> |
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===UKIP leadership bid=== |
===UKIP leadership bid=== |
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{{Further|UK Independence Party leadership election, September 2016}} |
{{Further|UK Independence Party leadership election, September 2016}} |
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In July 2016, Woolfe launched his bid to become [[September 2016 UK Independence Party leadership election|leader of UKIP]] following the resignation of [[Nigel Farage]]. He gained the support of the leaders of UKIP in Wales, Scotland and London. His running-mate was Welsh UKIP leader [[Nathan Gill]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-36793037|title=Nathan Gill to be UKIP leadership running-mate to Steven Woolfe|publisher=BBC News|date=14 July 2016| |
In July 2016, Woolfe launched his bid to become [[September 2016 UK Independence Party leadership election|leader of UKIP]] following the resignation of [[Nigel Farage]]. He gained the support of the leaders of UKIP in Wales, Scotland and London. His running-mate was Welsh UKIP leader [[Nathan Gill]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-36793037|title=Nathan Gill to be UKIP leadership running-mate to Steven Woolfe|publisher=BBC News|date=14 July 2016|access-date=7 October 2016}}</ref> |
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⚫ | Woolfe promised to 'ruthlessly' go after [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] seats in [[Northern England]] and the [[Midlands (England)|Midlands]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/steven-woolfe-announced-ukip-leadership-bid_uk_57877077e4b0f4bc5946a590|title=Steven Woolfe Announces UKIP Leadership Bid|work=Huffington Post|date=14 July 2016|access-date=6 August 2016}}</ref> Woolfe said UKIP has "won the argument" for managed immigration and promised to drive a new focus on social mobility.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/news/2016-07-14/steven-woolfe-launches-ukip-leadership-bid/|title=Steven Woolfe launches Ukip leadership bid|work=ITV News|date=14 July 2016| |
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===Membership lapse and leadership application=== |
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Woolfe let his UKIP membership lapse from December 2014, and paid for it to be renewed in March 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/27/ukip-leadership-frontrunner-steven-woolfes-bid-could-be-derailed/|title=Ukip leadership frontrunner Steven Woolfe's bid could be derailed by membership issues|work=The Telegraph|date=27 July 2016|accessdate=7 October 2016}}</ref> On 31 July 2016, he was blocked by the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) from submitting his leadership, claiming that his application had been submitted several minutes after the deadline.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2016/08/01/ukip-s-cack-handed-leadership-race-tells-you-everything-abou|title=Ukip's cack-handed leadership race tells you everything about its politics|work=Politics.co.uk|author=Ian Dunt|date=1 August 2016|accessdate=13 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/aug/03/ukip-leadership-steven-woolfe-excluded-from-ballot|title=Ukip in turmoil as Steven Woolfe excluded from leadership ballot|work=The Guardian|author=Rowena Mason|date=3 August 2016|accessdate=20 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=UKIP leadership: Steven Woolfe excluded from race – BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-36962266|access-date=2016-08-03|language=en-GB}}</ref> Woolfe denied this, and said UKIP's computer systems were unable to accept his application at the time of submission. He had previously talked of scrapping the NEC.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36962266|title=UKIP leadership: Steven Woolfe excluded from race|publisher=BBC News|date=3 August 2016|accessdate=7 October 2016}}</ref> |
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===Possible defection to Conservative Party=== |
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⚫ | On 5 October 2016, Woolfe was reported saying |
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===Altercation with MEP Mike Hookem=== |
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On 6 October 2016, Woolfe was hospitalised at the [[Seat of the European Parliament in Strasbourg|European Parliament building]] in [[Strasbourg]],<ref name="Watts">{{cite news|last=Watts|first=Joe|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/steven-woolfe-collapse-ukip-leadership-leader-favourite-ill-european-parliament-a7347896.html|title=Steven Woolfe collapse: Ukip leadership favourite in 'serious condition' after altercation at European Parliament|work=The Independent|date=6 October 2016|accessdate=6 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="BBC061016">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37572377|title=UKIP's Steven Woolfe in hospital 'after altercation'|publisher=BBC News|date=6 October 2016|accessdate=6 October 2016}}</ref> after a reported row with fellow MEP and UKIP Defence Spokesman [[Mike Hookem]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Allegretti|first1=Aubrey|last2=Waugh|first2=Paul|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/ukip-leadership-contender-steven-woolfe-collapses-outside-the-european-parliament_uk_57f633e9e4b00df730dc2787|title=Steven Woolfe Recovering In Hospital After Altercation At Ukip MEPs Meeting|work=Huffington Post|date=6 October 2016|accessdate=6 October 2016}}</ref> Hookem later denied the assertion that he had punched Woolfe.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37587814|title=UKIP MEP Mike Hookem denies assaulting Steven Woolfe|publisher=BBC News|date=7 October 2016|accessdate=6 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="ITV Self-Defense">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=7 October 2016 |title=Mike Hookem: 'I acted in self-defence' |url=http://www.itv.com/news/2016-10-07/mike-hookem-i-acted-in-self-defence/ |publisher=ITV News |access-date=10 October 2016}}</ref> Hookem said Woolfe "took exception" to his comment about Woolfe turning his leadership application paperwork in late.<ref name="ITV Self-Defense"/> After the incident, the interim Leader of UKIP, [[Nigel Farage]], said "You see third world parliaments where this sort of thing happens. It's not good".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ukip-fight-leadership-steven-woolfe-nigel-farage-mep-third-world-parliament-a7349186.html |title=Nigel Farage says fight between Ukip MEP's 'like something from Third World parliament' |work=The Independent|author=May Bulman |date=6 October 2016 |accessdate=6 October 2016}}</ref> |
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⚫ | Woolfe promised to 'ruthlessly' go after [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] seats in [[Northern England]] and the [[Midlands (England)|Midlands]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/steven-woolfe-announced-ukip-leadership-bid_uk_57877077e4b0f4bc5946a590|title=Steven Woolfe Announces UKIP Leadership Bid|work=Huffington Post|date=14 July 2016|access-date=6 August 2016}}</ref> Woolfe said UKIP has "won the argument" for managed immigration and promised to drive a new focus on social mobility.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/news/2016-07-14/steven-woolfe-launches-ukip-leadership-bid/|title=Steven Woolfe launches Ukip leadership bid|work=ITV News|date=14 July 2016|access-date=7 October 2016}}</ref> Furthermore, Woolfe also said he would build on the 4 million votes UKIP got at the last election. |
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On the same day, [[Arron Banks]], a major donor to UKIP, who had previously said that UKIP would be "dead in the water" if Diane James did not become leader,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/ukip-diane-james-arron-banks_uk_57d9755ee4b00f7417356350|title=Ukip Is ‘Dead In The Water' If Diane James Doesn't Become Leader, Says Party Donor Arron Banks|work=Huffington Post|author=Owen Bennett|date=15 September 2016|accessdate=13 October 2016}}</ref> said that he would leave UKIP if Woolfe were prevented from running for leader, and if two other senior members remained in the party: "If [[Neil Hamilton (politician)|Neil Hamilton]] and [[Douglas Carswell]] [UKIP's (then) only MP] remain in the party, and the NEC decide that Steven Woolfe cannot run for leader, I will be leaving Ukip".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/arron-banks-ukip-neil-hamilton-douglas-carswell-donor-a7349576.html|title=Arron Banks threatens to leave Ukip after being 'utterly disgusted' by party member's remarks following altercation|work=The Independent|author=May Bulman|date=6 October 2016|accessdate=13 October 2016}}</ref> |
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On 31 July 2016, he was blocked by the party's National Executive Committee.{{cn|date=July 2024}} |
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On 7 October 2016, Woolfe was reported to have offered the "hand of friendship" to Mike Hookem;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/07/steven-woolfe-mike-hookem-ukip-mep-clash-party-chair|title=Ukip's Steven Woolfe offers 'hand of friendship' to MEP after clash|work=The Guardian|authors=Jennifer Rankin and Peter Walker|date=7 October 2016}}</ref> he also told the media that his injuries "proved" that he had been attacked by Hookem.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/08/ukip-mep-steven-woolfe-says-injuries-prove-he-was-attacked-by-pa/|title=Ukip MEP Steven Woolfe says injuries prove he was attacked by party colleague|work=The Telegraph|author=Patrick Sawer|date=8 October 2016|accessdate=13 October 2016}}</ref> |
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⚫ | On 5 October 2016, Woolfe was reported saying considering joining the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Bennett|first=Owen|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/steven-woolfe-ukip-tories-defecting_uk_57f5642ee4b00df730dbcd81|title=Ukip Anger At Steven Woolfe After He Admits Considering Defecting To The Conservatives|work= Huffington Post|date=5 October 2016|access-date=6 October 2016}}</ref> though ultimately did not. After two years as a UKIP MEP he resigned and remained as an independent for the next three years. |
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Woolfe subsequently withdrew from the contest and resigned from UKIP in October 2016, describing the party as "ungovernable".<ref>{{Cite news|date=2016-10-17|title=MEP Steven Woolfe quits UKIP|language=en-GB|newspaper=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37682828|access-date=2016-10-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Woolfe|first=Steven|date=17 October 2016|title=Ukip is ungovernable. I hoped to be leader - instead, today I quit the party|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/17/ukip-is-ungovernable-i-hoped-to-be-leader---instead-today-i-quit/|publisher=|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> |
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=== |
===Post-political career=== |
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Woolfe became the director of legal affairs of think tank The Centre For Migration & Economic Prosperity in 2019. He is also the editor and head of communications of Libertatio.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uk.linkedin.com/in/stevenwoolfe|publisher=LinkedIn|accessdate=12 March 2023|title=Steven Woolfe}}</ref> |
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On 8 February 2019 on [[BBC Newsnight]], Woolfe stated that he would stand for the [[Brexit Party]] in the event that Britain had not left the European Union before the May 2019 [[2019 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|UK EU elections]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=3uA79x_oXZM|title=Nigel Farage launches new 'Brexit' party DISCUSSION - BBC Newsnight|date=8 February 2019|accessdate=9 February 2019|publisher=BBC Newsnight|via=YouTube}}{{dead link|date=May 2019}}</ref> He was not, however, among the Brexit Party candidates who stood for election on 23 May. |
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==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
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Woolfe |
Woolfe married Fiona Olivia Thomson in 2011 at the All Saints Church, [[Houghton, Hampshire]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/weddings/news/9164652.steven-fiona-woolfe-thomson/|work=Hampshire Chronicle|date=28 July 2011|title=Steven, Fiona Woolfe, Thomson}}</ref> They have a daughter.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/chester-based-euro-mp-quits-12039825|title=Chester-based Euro MP quits UKIP leadership race – and his party|last=Holmes|first=David|work=Chester Chronicle|date=18 October 2016|access-date=18 October 2016}}</ref> He is a Catholic.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/features/2014/10/08/margot-parker-the-bishops-must-meet-with-ukip |title=Margot Parker: 'The bishops must meet with UKIP' |work=[[Catholic Herald]] |access-date=8 October 2014}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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[[Category:Politicians from Manchester]] |
[[Category:Politicians from Manchester]] |
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[[Category:Conservative Party (UK) MEPs]] |
[[Category:Conservative Party (UK) MEPs]] |
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[[Category:British Eurosceptics]] |
Latest revision as of 16:51, 17 July 2024
Steven Woolfe | |
---|---|
Member of the European Parliament for North West England | |
In office 1 July 2014 – 1 July 2019 | |
Preceded by | Robert Atkins |
Succeeded by | David Bull |
UKIP portfolios | |
2014 | Economics |
2015–2016 | Immigration |
Personal details | |
Born | Steven Marcus Woolfe 6 October 1967 Moss Side, Manchester, England |
Political party | Independent (since 2016) |
Other political affiliations | Conservative (2000–2010) UKIP (2010–2016) |
Education | St. Bede's College, Manchester |
Alma mater | Aberystwyth University; City Law School |
Steven Marcus Woolfe (born 6 October 1967) is a British barrister, writer, commentator and former politician. He is currently the Director of the Centre for Migration & Economic Prosperity[1] a research think tank studying population and immigration into the UK, Europe and US. He was a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for North West England from 2014 until 2019. From 2014 he was a UKIP MEP but resigned to become an Independent MEP in October 2016 following his opposition to the party's overly negative policy on immigration. He remained independent until July 2019.
Early life and education
[edit]Woolfe was born in Moss Side in Manchester and grew up on a council estate in Burnage. His maternal grandmother Christine emigrated to Britain from Ireland and married James, an Englishman. Both his parents were born in Manchester: His father was mixed race born to a British Jewish mother and a Black American father.[2] He abandoned Woolfe and his brother as a small child.
Woolfe is the eldest of a family of four, His younger half-brother is Nathan Woolfe, a footballer who has played for various clubs as a striker.[3]
He attended St Bernard's Roman Catholic Primary School, a voluntary-aided state-maintained school in Burnage.,[4] As a child of a single mother he won a scholarship to St Bede's College, a co-educational independent school in the Manchester suburb of Whalley Range, where he excelled in sport, debating and study.
He read law at Aberystwyth University, won several awards and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 1990.
Legal career
[edit]He pursued further studies at the Inns of Court School of Law in London, before being called to the Bar at The Inner Temple[4][5] He initially undertook pupillage at Francis Taylor Buildings before completing pupillage at 2 Harcourt Buildings (now 5 St Andrews Hill[6]) where he practiced criminal and general common law. He continued at 5 Paper Buildings but did not take tenancy there as he moved into his first role as an Employed Barrister acting as General Counsel for a stockbroking firm Merchant Securities Limited.
He moved to the Union Bank of Switzerland, London office in the legal and compliance department where managed the private banking, derivatives desks and anti money laundering procedures. He then went onto work for several investment banks such as Credit Suisse, Barclays Capital and Standard Bank as well as Aviva.
Before becoming interested in politics he spent several years as general counsel for hedge fund managers such as Boyer Allan Investment Management LLP. He co-founded the Hedge Fund lawyers Association and was its chair for 2010 to 2102. Since 2019 he has also acted as a legal and regulatory consultant to financial institutions.[4]
Political career
[edit]Woolfe was introduced to UKIP by Lord Pearson of Rannoch and made his debut speech at UKIP's 2010 annual conference in Torquay.[7] In 2010 Nigel Farage declared his intention to stand in the UKIP leadership, he appointed Woolfe, who was not a member of UKIP, to his team of senior spokespeople, as Economics spokesman. In 2011, Woolfe was elected to UKIP's National Executive Committee.
Woolfe stood as a UKIP candidate for the City and East for the Greater London Authority[8] in May 2012.
In November 2012, Woolfe won UKIP's nomination to contest the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner elections. Woolfe's campaign message was one of tough on crime and the support of community policing. He finished fifth, polling 23,256 votes (8.55%).[9]
On 8 May 2014, Woolfe chaired a public meeting in Westminster promoting UKIP's Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) candidates despite Farage's initial opposition. His belief politics is about ideas not race succeeded in galvanising the membership[10]
Woolfe was selected as number 3 on UKIP's regional party list in the 2014 European Parliament election in North West England. He was one of three candidates from the party to be elected as MEP in the region.[11][12]
In 2014 he became Spokesman for migration policy.[13] Woolfe called for a fair and ethical stance towards migration, stressing that migration should be based on merit, not on race, religion, colour or creed.[14] This policy was taken up by Vote Leave and the Conservative Party during and after the Brexit Referendum
From July 2014 until May 2015, Woolfe's was responsible for macro policy and taxation and City of London spokesman. He advocated a simplified and lower tax regime for all, believing that the middle classes have been squeezed with the 40% tax band and has called for the 45% tax band to be abolished and replaced with a higher threshold for 40% band at £45,000. He has also called for those on minimum wage to be taken out of paying tax altogether.[15]
On 4 September 2014, Woolfe was chosen as UKIP's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Stockport.[16] Woolfe came third at the 2015 general election with 13% of the vote.[17]
UKIP leadership bid
[edit]In July 2016, Woolfe launched his bid to become leader of UKIP following the resignation of Nigel Farage. He gained the support of the leaders of UKIP in Wales, Scotland and London. His running-mate was Welsh UKIP leader Nathan Gill.[18]
Woolfe promised to 'ruthlessly' go after Labour seats in Northern England and the Midlands.[19] Woolfe said UKIP has "won the argument" for managed immigration and promised to drive a new focus on social mobility.[20] Furthermore, Woolfe also said he would build on the 4 million votes UKIP got at the last election.
On 31 July 2016, he was blocked by the party's National Executive Committee.[citation needed]
On 5 October 2016, Woolfe was reported saying considering joining the Conservative Party,[21] though ultimately did not. After two years as a UKIP MEP he resigned and remained as an independent for the next three years.
Post-political career
[edit]Woolfe became the director of legal affairs of think tank The Centre For Migration & Economic Prosperity in 2019. He is also the editor and head of communications of Libertatio.[22]
Personal life
[edit]Woolfe married Fiona Olivia Thomson in 2011 at the All Saints Church, Houghton, Hampshire.[23] They have a daughter.[24] He is a Catholic.[25]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "The Centre for Migration & Economic Prosperity". The Centre for Migration & Economic Prosperity. 12 February 2023.
- ^ "British Future Speech 2016 – Steven Woolfe MEP, UKIP Spokesman on Migration and Financial Affairs". Stevenwoolfe.uk. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ Brown, Richard (22 November 2014). "Ukip runner says Stockport's 'fear of Manchester' is like apartheid-era South Africa". Mancunian Matters. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ^ a b c "GECO – General Election Campaign Outlook – Steven Woolfe MEP". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ "The Inner Temple". The Inner Temple.
- ^ "5 St Andrew's Hill". 5SAH.
- ^ "Steven Woolfe – UKIP Conference 2010 – Part 1". Steven Woolfe. Retrieved 7 October 2016 – via YouTube.
- ^ Martin Hoscik (24 January 2012). "UKIP announces London Assembly candidates". www.mayorwatch.co.uk. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Results 2012". Manchester City Council. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
- ^ Bennett, Owen (8 May 2014). "'NEVER call us racist again' Ukip's black and ethnic minority candidates fight back". The Express. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
- ^ "Labour and UKIP secure three MEPs, wiping out BNP and Liberal Democrats". Manchester Evening News. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
- ^ "Vote2014 – North West". BBC. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
- ^ "leader Nigel Farage announces two key frontbench spokesmen roles with more to follow". UKIP. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ Bennett, Asa (23 July 2014). "Ukip's New Migration Spokesman Steven Woolfe On Party's 'Ethical Immigration Policy'". Huffington Post. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Ukip to fight 2015 election on pledge to raise 40p tax threshold to £45,000". The Telegraph. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
- ^ Holmes, David (9 September 2014). "Chester: Ukip Euro MP to stand for Parliament". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "Stockport". BBC News. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
- ^ "Nathan Gill to be UKIP leadership running-mate to Steven Woolfe". BBC News. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
- ^ "Steven Woolfe Announces UKIP Leadership Bid". Huffington Post. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Steven Woolfe launches Ukip leadership bid". ITV News. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
- ^ Bennett, Owen (5 October 2016). "Ukip Anger At Steven Woolfe After He Admits Considering Defecting To The Conservatives". Huffington Post. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
- ^ "Steven Woolfe". LinkedIn. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Steven, Fiona Woolfe, Thomson". Hampshire Chronicle. 28 July 2011.
- ^ Holmes, David (18 October 2016). "Chester-based Euro MP quits UKIP leadership race – and his party". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
- ^ "Margot Parker: 'The bishops must meet with UKIP'". Catholic Herald. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
- 1967 births
- Living people
- People from Moss Side
- People educated at St Bede's College, Manchester
- Alumni of Aberystwyth University
- English barristers
- English people of African-American descent
- English people of Irish descent
- English people of Jewish descent
- MEPs for England 2014–2019
- UK Independence Party MEPs
- UK Independence Party parliamentary candidates
- Black British politicians
- English Roman Catholics
- Politicians from Manchester
- Conservative Party (UK) MEPs
- British Eurosceptics