It has become increasingly clear that, in one sense at least, the UKIP brand has become toxic and needs to be detoxed before it can move forward. Marmite Nigel's resignation must aid that process.
The highest vote achieved was the 28% in the last EU elections but perhaps only half of that figure could be classed as core voters. Nonetheless, I am convinced that other than in EU elections, 28% could never have been achieved again under Nigel.
Without him as leader, why can we not target the 36% or similar which would see a UKIP government in 2020? The mould of British politics has been broken. Win enough votes and the appalling FPTP system can yet be beaten!
The problem is that a love-him-or-hate-him figure can never be the kind of force behind which, all people of similar views can unite.
Far too many times have people told me that they rate UKIP but would never vote for us 'as long as that man is in charge'.Well now, he ain't! So let's pull 'em in!
That Nigel has carved out a major profile for UKIP is undeniable and that can be a significant building block on which to construct a radical, new, political force. The loss of his magnetism and dynamism will cost a few votes but, that loss will be more than offset by the new votes which will come our way if the party gets it right.
(Nigel's many errors in the runup to the Referendum could have been costly - but happily, were not.)
UKIP now needs a safe pair of hands at the helm and must, forthwith, stop shooting itself in the foot.
Nigel has, wrongly in my view, been perceived as rightwing. This has meant that the party has been seen that way too - and this means that votes are lost - or in the case of Tory voters - not won.
The winning profile is for UKIP to become super-democrats. The Referendum was a success - well let us look to how Swiss democracy functions and use that as our model. Populism is hated by the left. I do not consider myself anything other than a populist.
A surprisingly small number have asked 'What is UKIP for now that the referendum has been held and won?' - The answer is that UKIP has a broad range of policies on which it has fought countless electoral battles at Council and national level when the EU has hardly been part of the equation.
As the third party of British politics (in votes if not seats!) we are the LabCon alternative.
Paul can certainly unite the party and lead us forwards. To elect him is that very first step - he is a man who cannot be perceived as being on some kind of ego trip.
Get it wrong and UKIP could turn to dust - but get it right and becoming the government may be less of an impossible dream than escaping the EU's foul clutches.
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