AFTER the referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union in June last year, one thing is certain.

There was a clear majority vote in favour of leaving the EU, and this has been accepted by the British public and the two main political parties.

Both Theresa May for the Conservatives and Jeremy Corbyn for Labour have quite rightly accepted that UK should now leave the EU and is the democratic decision of the British people.

All that is left is for detailed negotiations of the terms of any Brexit deal. Over the coming months, parliament and our local MPs will need to scrutinise the finer details. Contrary to what some may claim in the media, I see little appetite for a second referendum.

I say that as someone who actively supported the remain campaign.

It doesn't surprise me that Ukip is now in a political crisis with no clear sense of purpose or direction. Nigel Farage, the party's former leader, was excellent at self publicity. He was never that successful as a serious politician, having tried and failed to get elected on seven separate occasions.

Paul Nuttall, the party's current leader, has been dogged by a series of dubious claims which were subsequently proved to be false. Not surprisingly, his credibility now seems damaged beyond repair.

His defeat in Stoke, described as the country's "Brexit capital", suggests perhaps his chances of winning anywhere are slim to say the least.

With Ukip facing numerous resignations and defections, it seems that even many of the core supporters now believe that the party is over.

Joan Pritchard-Jones

Bolton