Nigel Farage kowtows to critics and takes a summer break

Nigel Farage stamped his authority on Ukip with a round of sackings, but he has also listened to his critics. In his Spectator diary, the Ukip leader admits one of his chief critics Douglas Carswell had a point, saying ‘he was right: I could do with a break.’ He told Emily Matlis on BBC News this afternoon he is planning to take a few weeks off this summer — similarly to the other party leaders:

‘Look, it’s been a difficult time. Who would have believed there would be a majority Conservative government with 331 Conservative MPs with an average of 36,000 votes each, whereas four million people with just one MP. It’s been a very difficult 5 or 10 days. But I will tell you this: firstly I’m taking a holiday, yes. Secondly, we’re the one party who going into the referendum absolutely united in our view.’