Eurosceptic firebrand and self-styled scourge of the establishment, Nigel Farage makes his final speech as Ukip leader this morning (16 September), ahead of his successor being unveiled. The 52-year-old said he wanted to have his life back after his political dreams came true and the UK voted to leave the EU in a 23 June referendum.

Farage, a married father of four, had infamously "un-resigned" after he failed to win the South Thanet seat at the 2015 general election.

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But it now looks like he is leaving his "people's army" for good.

Farage's expected successor is Diane James MEP, who faces the strongest competition from Cambridgeshire councillor Lisa Duffy.

The two represent two warring factions of the party, James has the backing of so called "Faragists" such as party donor and Leave.EU co-founder Arron Banks, while Duffy has the backing of party heavyweight Suzanne Evans and Patrick O'Flynn, MEP.

Douglas Carswell, Ukip's sole MP, has failed to endorse a candidate. Ukip's next leader will inherit a party which won more than 3.8 million votes at the general election, has 488 councillors, 22 MEPs, six Welsh Assembly members and two London Assembly members.

But Ukip's core goal – of leaving the EU – has been achieved and new Prime Minister Theresa May has promised to lift the ban on new grammar schools in England, another one of Ukip's flagship policies.

The anti-immigration party has also been hit with high-profile defections to the Tories, with former media chief Alexandra Phillips and ex-party director Steve Stanbury jumping ship.

Farage, who quit the metal markets to become a founding member of Ukip in 1993, is expected to make his address to the party faithful around 11:45 BST.

The party's new leader will be unveiled around 13:30. You can watch the event live here and on Sky News, dependent on timings.

Nigel Farage UKIP