Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage has called for “genuine, radical political reform” to the electoral system following his resignation in South Thanet.

Mr Farage said that he believes that Ukip will be the party to lead changes to the way Britain votes, despite stepping down as party leader.

"We’ve got a party in Britain who got 50% the vote in one of the regions and nearly 100% of the seats - and we’ve got another party that scored nearly as many votes, 4m, as well as the European elections last year, that has finished up with one seat in parliament," he said.

"I think the time has come for real, genuine, radical political reform and I think it’s Ukip that’ll be the party that leads it.”

Mr Farage lost his race to become MP for South Thanet, having followed more than 90 of his fellow candidates in placing second by 2,812 votes to the Conservatives’ Craig Mackinlay.

His speech follows comments from Deputy Leader Paul Nuttall on the eve of the election, who said that the first past the post system was an "affront to democracy" and needed to be scrapped.

UKIP are currently the third most popular party across the UK by voteshare, but only hold one seat, despite holding more than 12 per cent of the UK vote.

Compared with the SNP, Ukip have currently won more than 2.3 million more votes and 7.5% more of the UK’s support, however the SNP currently hold 55 more seats.

In his concession speech, Mr Farage said: “Many of you may think I have been having a bad day but five years ago I was in intensive care after an air crash. That is a bad day.”