LONDON—The head of the U.K. Independence Party, Nigel Farage, resigned Monday as party leader, arguing that he’s achieved his political ambition of having Britain leave the European Union.
Farage was instrumental in the campaign to have Britain leave the trading bloc, championing the issue of immigration. A criticized campaign poster featuring thousands of migrants massed at the border alongside the words “Breaking Point,” typified fears that fueled some Brits’ decision to vote for a British exit, or Brexit.
“The victory for the ‘leave’ side in the referendum means that my political ambition has been achieved,” Farage said. “I came into this struggle from business because I wanted us to be a self-governing nation, not to become a career politician.”
Farage told reporters he would retain his seat in the European Parliament to see out the negotiations for Britain’s exit from the EU following the country’s June 23 vote to leave the bloc. He defended his taunting of other lawmakers in the chamber last week, arguing he wanted Britain’s voice to be heard.
