UKIP set out election battle plans
The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) will field candidates against eurosceptic Conservative MPs at the next general election, delegates agreed yesterday at their inaugural conference in Bristol.
The vast majority of delegates voted to put up candidates in every constituency at the general election, backtracking a previous policy to steer clear of constituencies where Conservative eurosceptic candidates planned to contest seats.
Flamboyant East Midlands MEP Robert Kilroy-Silk told the 1100 delegates that the Conservative Party was dying and urged members “to replace it”.
He said it was UKIP’s destiny and opportunity to kill the Conservatives off.
UKIP came third in Thursday’s Hartlepool by-election, pushing the Conservatives into fourth.
The former Labour MP and former chat show host accused Michael Howard’s party of stealing UKIP’s policies on immigration.
“Our policy is so sensible and so fair and so reasonable that Michael Howard has walked along, picked up my coat and put it all around him.
“And there he is in his smart sharp suits going around the media hot-spots saying ‘look this is good isn’t it? I’ve got a policy on immigration and asylum’.”
He urged delegates to enforce strict limits on immigration quotas.
“We’ll have no more than 100,000 in and every one of them will have to show they have skills, aptitudes and abilities that make a contribution to British society and the economy.
“They must be prepared to integrate and become British citizens and become part of our lives”.
Mr Kilroy-Silk said the Conservative Party was moribund and asked rhetorically “why would you want to give it the kiss of life?”
In his speech, which focussed heavily on immigration and asylum, Mr Kilroy-Silk said UKIP had “upset the political apple cart” and “could change the face of British politics forever”.
