Jeffrey Titford | |
---|---|
Leader of the UK Independence Party | |
Acting 6 September 2010 – 5 November 2010 | |
Preceded by | The Lord Pearson of Rannoch |
Succeeded by | Nigel Farage |
In office 22 January 2000 – 5 October 2002 | |
Preceded by | Michael Holmes |
Succeeded by | Roger Knapman |
Member of the European Parliament for East of England | |
In office 15 July 1999 – 15 July 2009 | |
Preceded by | Position established |
Succeeded by | Stuart Agnew |
Personal details | |
Born | Jeffrey William Titford 24 October 1933 West Mersea, Essex, England |
Died | 9 September 2024 | (aged 90)
Political party | Reform UK |
Other political affiliations | Conservative Referendum Party New Britain Party UK Independence Party |
Spouse(s) | Margaret Titford |
Jeffrey William Titford (24 October 1933 – 9 September 2024) was a British politician. He served as leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) from 2000 until 2002. He served again as a temporary leader in September to November 2010. He was also a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the East of England from 1999 to 2009.
Before becoming a politician he was a businessman. He was an undertaker and president of the National Association of Funeral Directors.[1][2] He was called the 'father of Brexit'.[1]
Titford ran many times to be a member of parliament. Before joining UKIP, he had been a member of the Conservative Party, the New Britain Party and the Referendum Party. He was the most successful Referendum Party candidate in the 1997 general election, winning nearly 10 per cent of the vote in Harwich. Later that year he joined UKIP. At the 2005 general election, Titford ran to represent Harwich. He came fourth of six candidates.[3] Titford stepped down from the European Parliament at the 2009 European elections.
Titford died on 9 September 2024 from cancer at the age of 90.[1][4]