UKIP to run 500 poll candidates

Mr Knapman highlighted UKIP successes in the European elections

The UK Independence Party is to field 500 candidates in the general election, leader Roger Knapman has said.

He argued UKIP, which favours EU withdrawal, was "about Britain, not just Europe". He said UKIP had a "full manifesto" of "quite radical ideas".

Mr Knapman said "millions of voters" recognised the UK Parliament was now "powerless" with 70% of laws generated in Brussels and not Britain.

He said people recognised old parties were now "part of the problem".

"UKIP came first in 21 constituencies in the European elections last year," he said.

"Our message is straightforward and we are confident that our vote will hold up in many of these."