The wit and wisdom of outgoing UKIP leader Farage

Nigel Farage, the outgoing leader of the anti-EU UK Independence Party, is known for his sharp turn of phrase.

As UKIP announces its new leader on Friday, here are some of the 52-year-old’s most memorable quotes:

“Above all, UKIP will campaign for Britain to be an independent self-governing and self-confident nation. There is a huge vacuum in British politics because the three traditional parties do not offer the electorate a real choice. UKIP is now the only party saying what most people think. We will fill the void.”

– After being elected the new leader of UKIP in 2006

“You have the charisma of a damp rag, and the appearance of a low-grade bank clerk. And the question that I want to ask, that we’re all going to ask, is: ‘who are you?'”

– In the European Parliament in 2010 addressing Herman Van Rompuy, the new president of the European Council

“The euro Titanic has now hit the iceberg — and there simply aren’t enough lifeboats to go round.”

– Farage in the European Parliament at the height of the euro crisis

“We wouldn’t want to be like the Swiss, would we? That would be awful! We’d be rich!”

– Farage in 2013 reacting to a speech by prime minister David Cameron, warning against being outside the EU

“June the 23rd needs to become a national bank holiday, and we will call it Independence Day!”

– Farage celebrates victory the morning after Britain voted to leave the European Union

“Isn’t it funny? When I came here 17 years ago, and I said that I wanted to lead a campaign to get Britain to leave the European Union, you all laughed at me. Well, I have to say, you’re not laughing now, are you?”

– Farage in the European Parliament five days after the Brexit vote

“During the referendum, I said ‘I want my country back’. What I’m saying today is: I want my life back.”

– Less than two weeks after the referendum, Farage announces he is stepping down as UKIP leader, his life’s mission accomplished