Stephen James Crowther (born January 1957) is a former acting leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP). On 9 June 2017, he succeeded Paul Nuttall who stepped down after the party failed to win any seats in the 2017 UK general election.Jon Sharman, "Ukip appoints interim leader after Paul Nuttall's resignation", The Independent, 9 June 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
Crowther had previously been UKIP party chairman, a position from which he resigned in July 2016 a few weeks after the EU referendum."Statement from Steve Crowther - Resignation as UKIP Party Chairman", UKIP website, posted 5 July 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2017. In 2014, as part of UKIP's efforts to avoid growing embarrassment from online racist comments by members, he advised members not to join Facebook or Twitter.Heather Saul, "Ukip warns members not to join Facebook or Twitter", The Independent, 20 December 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
In late 2015, he was called the "absentee Chairman" by Matt Goodwin in his sequel book on the history of UKIP.
Crowther has been the UKIP candidate for North Devon three times. In the 2017 general election he polled the second-fewest votes in the constituency. He is a retired trade journalist and writer who ran an advertising agency in London.Abbie Bray, "New UKIP leader is Devon's Steve Crowther", DevonLive.com, 9 June 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017. Considered as an interim leader of UKIP, Crowther said he would launch the process for the election of a more permanent party leader."Steve Crowther named as new UKIP Leader", ITV News, 9 June 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
He resigned from UKIP in December 2018.
Elections contested UK Parliament elections Date Constituency Party Votes % votes2010 North Devon UKIP 3,720 7.22015 North Devon UKIP 7,719 14.82017 North Devon UKIP 1,187 2.1"Election 2017: Devon North", BBC News. Retrieved 12 June 2017
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