UKIP MEP James Carver has today (Tuesday) welcomed the news that Nigel Farage is to stay on as the purple party's leader.

Mr Carver, who represents the West Midlands, said the party’s decision to reject Mr Farage’s resignation was a major boost for UKIP, which won a 13 per cent share of the vote in the General Election.

Fresh from his own fight for a seat in Westminster - Mr Carver, who came third in Stourbridge in the General Election, described Mr Farage as "a charismatic character that has changed the face of British politics".

He continued: "We scooped a massive 3.8 million votes at the General Election and also won overall control of our first council. The people's party is on the march."

But he echoed Mr Farage's comment describing the first past the post voting system as "bankrupt" and added: "There are clearly serious problems with our current flawed voting system."