Local elections
UKIP confident of gaining first seat

By Tim Clarke 27/04 Updated: 28/04 10:35

Buy photos » UKIP Worcester branch chairman Carl Humphries will contest the Rainbow Hill ward. (s)

THE UK Independence Party (UKIP) is confident it can win over Worcester's voters and secure its first seat on the city council.

The party is fielding four candidates at next Thursday's (May 3) local elections, including the chairman of its Worcester branch Carl Humphries who will contest the Rainbow Hill ward.

Mr Humphries said the party had already received strong support from disillusioned Conservative and Labour voters and insisted its candidates were genuine contenders.

"All the UKIP candidates are realists, not dreamers," he said.

"All are capable of helping to run Worcester, both financially and socially. They all demand the people of Worcester are given the opportunity to vote at a referendum on EU membership, which now costs the UK almost £50 million a day. This is money that should be spent in the United Kingdom."

Mr Humphries will have to overcome the challenge of Rainbow Hill's sitting councillor Labour group leader Adrian Gregson, as well as Conservative Edward Turner and the Green Party's Stephen Brohan.

James Goad will stand for UKIP in the St Clement ward with Lawson Cartwright contesting Cathedral ward and Jim Holtom the Arboretum.

UKIP's candidates want free bus fares for schoolchildren during term time, free hospital parking extended to two hours as well as a clampdown on footpaths being obstructed by wheelie bins.