Henry Bolton Reflects on Farage, Reform UK, and His Controversial Affair
Henry Bolton discusses his time as Ukip leader, his affair, and views on Reform UK
Henry Bolton, Nigel Farage, Ukip, Reform UK, Kent, Folkestone, Jo Marney
Folkestone: Henry Bolton, a former Ukip leader, has had a colorful life. He led Ukip from September 2017 to February 2018. His leadership ended amid controversy over his relationship with Jo Marney, a glamour model.
Bolton met with KentOnline at the Burlington Hotel in Folkestone. He prefers not to be labeled politically. He believes he can hold views across the spectrum. Many see him as a far-right figure, but he doesn’t fit that mold.
During our chat, Bolton ordered a coffee. He asked if they had coconut cappuccinos but settled for a regular one. The bar seemed familiar to him, as he greeted the manager during our conversation.
He dressed in a green blazer and a checkered shirt. His usual car is a Fiat 500, not a flashy Range Rover. Bolton was born in Kenya in 1963, just before it gained independence. His grandparents started a chili farm there.
At 16, he joined the Army, seeking adventure. He spent most of his life in military and security roles. He didn’t care about rank; he just wanted to serve. He later worked with the Territorial Army and Thames Valley Police.
Bolton served in Bosnia during NATO’s intervention. He faced intense situations, witnessing violence and negotiating hostage releases. He later worked in Kosovo, where he managed a province and observed ceasefire violations.
After a break, he went to Afghanistan. His experiences and relationships abroad helped him learn some Russian. Bolton’s military and diplomatic background made him a strong candidate for any political party.
He ran for the Liberal Democrats in 2005 and joined Ukip in 2015. He identifies as eurosceptic but believes in cooperation with Europe. His time with the Foreign Office ended when he ran for Kent Police and Crime Commissioner in 2016.
Bolton criticized Nigel Farage for leaving Ukip when it needed leadership. He took over as leader in 2017 after Paul Nuttall resigned. He felt responsible for guiding the party through tough times.
Ukip was crucial in pushing for the Brexit referendum. However, after the vote, Farage left, leaving the party struggling. Bolton’s leadership faced challenges, especially after his affair with Jo Marney became public.
He met Marney at a party lunch. They had drinks and began a relationship. At the time, Bolton was still married, though separated from his wife. The affair became public, causing a media frenzy.
Bolton was horrified when Ukip announced his separation from his wife, which was untrue. The media contacted his wife, making the situation worse. He felt he had let down his family.
Marney’s leaked messages about Meghan Markle added to the scandal. Bolton defended himself against accusations of racism. He acknowledged the affair’s impact on his leadership and reputation.
He and Marney are no longer together. Their relationship ended after a few years. Bolton believes the affair was worth losing his leadership over, but Ukip’s reputation suffered greatly.
He claims that leaders of Reform UK didn’t want him in their party. He feels they fear he wouldn’t be controllable. Bolton has been asked for advice by some Reform leaders but remains skeptical of the party.
He recently joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), drawn by their detailed policies. Bolton is mostly out of frontline politics now, working as a commentator on Talk TV and GB News.
He also earns money through social media and has started a security company. Despite stepping back, he still has a passion for politics and may return if the SDP gains traction.