Roger Knapman is a British politician born on February 20, 1944 in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England. He studied at Sir Walter St. John’s Grammar School and then attended the University of Bristol, where he studied political science and economics. Knapman entered politics for the first time in 1974 when he was elected as a Conservative councillor for a Walthamstow ward. Later, he served as the Member of Parliament for Stroud from 1987 to 1997. Knapman is best known for his involvement in the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP). He became the party’s leader in 2002 and held the position until 2006. During his tenure, Knapman played a central role in transforming UKIP into a significant force advocating for British withdrawal from the European Union. After resigning as leader, he served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the South West of England from 2004 to 2009. Knapman has since retired from active politics but remains an influential figure in the Eurosceptic movement.