Henry Bolton (British politician)
Henry Bolton | |
|---|---|
Bolton speaking at Save Our Services campaign in London in 2017 | |
| SDP Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security | |
| Assumed office 26 April 2025 | |
| Leader of Our Nation | |
| In office 31 October 2018 – 4 November 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Party founded |
| Succeeded by | Party dissolved |
| Leader of the UK Independence Party | |
| In office 29 September 2017 – 17 February 2018 | |
| Deputy | Margot Parker |
| Preceded by | Paul Nuttall |
| Succeeded by | Gerard Batten |
| UKIP Spokesperson for Defence | |
| In office 15 January 2018 – 17 February 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Etheridge |
| Succeeded by | Ray Finch |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Henry David Bolton 2 March 1963 |
| Party | Social Democratic Party (since 2025) |
| Other political affiliations | Our Nation (2018–2019) UK Independence Party (2014–2018) Liberal Democrats (1999–2014) |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 3 |
| Education | Royal Military Academy Sandhurst - TA commissioning course (2 weeks) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Service years | 1979–2000 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Service number | 540249 |
| Awards | OBE NATO Bosnia Campaign Medal United Nations Kosovo Mission Medal Civilian Afghanistan Service Medal |
Henry David Bolton OBE (born 2 March 1963) is a British politician who was the leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) from 29 September 2017 to 17 February 2018. He served in the British Army, attaining the rank of lance corporal, and went on to reach the rank of captain following his transfer to the Territorial Army from the Regular Army. Bolton has also served as a police officer. Prior to becoming UKIP Leader, Bolton also worked for the EU for more than a year on EU projects in the Balkans.
Bolton became UKIP leader after winning the party's 2017 leadership election, and gave himself the additional role of Defence spokesman in January 2018. Bolton was removed as party leader in February 2018, following his relationship with a party member, and an ensuing controversy caused over racist comments she had made to a friend about Prince Harry's fiancée, Meghan Markle. Bolton's departure triggered UKIP's fourth leadership election in eighteen months. He subsequently announced plans to establish a new political party, to be called OneNation, that would adopt a Eurosceptic stance like UKIP. The party, under the name Our Nation, was registered with the Electoral Commission on 31 October 2018, but de-registered on 4 November 2019. He went on to join the Social Democratic Party, becoming its Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security.