Ukip pledges support for Eurosceptics

THE leader of Ukip has launched the party's campaign in Yorkshire by pledging to support Euro-sceptics in key seats.

Lord Pearson of Rannoch said Ukip was not targeting any seats in the region and was instead backing three Tory candidates Philip Davies in Shipley, Janice Small in Batley and Spen and Alex Story in Wakefield.

Lord Pearson said he was satisfied they were opposed to Britain's membership of the EU. He wanted to support Brigg and Goole candidate Andrew Percy and Leeds North West hopeful Matthew Lobley, but local party activists had vetoed the plan and had decided to field candidates.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said the economy and immigration were the central issues of the General Election in Yorkshire, and claimed that neither could be resolved while Britain is a member of the European Union.

"The overall cost of European membership is 120bn, if we want to control our economy and control our borders we cannot do that with the dictats from Brussels," he said. It is dishonest to pretend that we can do anything about the economy or immigration without first discussing EU membership."

Lord Pearson said that was why he has threatened legal action if the BBC does not allow his party to take part in the final leadership debate this evening.

He said European membership was the cause of the problems, but would not even be discussed by the leaders of the three main political parties.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He has written to BBC Director-General Mark Thompson, arguing that the corporation is breaching its election coverage guidelines by refusing to allow Ukip equal footing with Labour, Tories and the Liberal Democrats.

Ukip launched its manifesto with a poster featuring the faces of Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg alongside the slogan "Sod The Lot".

The party promises an end to mass immigration, a ban on Muslim face coverings, and an end to political correctness.

It is fielding 550 candidates with their best hope being former leader Nigel Farage's attempt to win Buckingham against the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow.

Philip Davies said he was delighted Lord Pearson had leant his support to the campaign.

He said: "It is fantastic to get his support and for him to take the time to come to Shipley."

Related topics: