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UKIP launch election manifesto UKIP to back others' candidates
(30 minutes later)
The UK Independence Party have launched their manifesto with a call to withdraw from the European Union. The UK Independence Party have said they will not campaign against election candidates from other parties who are "committed" Eurosceptics.
They are fielding 550 candidates in a bid to win their first MP. Speaking at the party's manifesto launch in London, leader Lord Pearson said UKIP will actively support six Tories and one Labour candidate.
UKIP say they want to transfer two million public sector jobs to the private sector, cut taxes and get rid of National Insurance altogether. He would not feel guilty about stopping a Tory government because it would mean "five more years of integration".
Leader Lord Pearson said without withdrawing from the EU the UK would be unable to tackle "the deplorable and very worrying state of our economy". UKIP are fielding 550 candidates in a bid to win their first MP.
The party, which campaigns for withdrawal from the European Union, want to transfer two million public sector jobs to the private sector, cut taxes and get rid of National Insurance altogether.
Lord Pearson said that without withdrawing from the EU, the UK would be unable to tackle "the deplorable and very worrying state of our economy".
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that EU membership cost the country "colossal figures on the economic side", with some estimates suggesting a figure of up to £120bn a year.He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that EU membership cost the country "colossal figures on the economic side", with some estimates suggesting a figure of up to £120bn a year.
Flat taxFlat tax
Lord Pearson said his party would not run for Westminster seats against other candidates that are genuinely Eurosceptic, and put up billboards urging people to vote for them. Lord Pearson said his party would not run for Westminster seats against other candidates that were genuinely Eurosceptic, and would put up billboards urging people to vote for them.
The BBC's Brian Wheeler, at the manifesto launch, said that meant standing aside in contests against six Tories, one Labour MP, and two Independents.The BBC's Brian Wheeler, at the manifesto launch, said that meant standing aside in contests against six Tories, one Labour MP, and two Independents.
In Stroud, held by Labour's David Drew at the last election, the UKIP candidate has in his election address asked people to vote for Mr Drew if possible.In Stroud, held by Labour's David Drew at the last election, the UKIP candidate has in his election address asked people to vote for Mr Drew if possible.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8617187.stm">At-a-glance: UKIP manifesto
The UKIP leader said he would not feel guilty about preventing the election of a a Conservative government because David Cameron as prime minister would mean "five more years of integration" into Europe. However, Lord Pearson stressed that none of the candidates from other parties had asked for UKIP's help.
Deputy leader David Campbell Bannerman denied that UKIP was a "single issue party" but said that Europe was "central to this domestic election".Deputy leader David Campbell Bannerman denied that UKIP was a "single issue party" but said that Europe was "central to this domestic election".
Mr Campbell Bannerman told the BBC: "We have policies in all areas, including animal welfare, pubs etc, right across the board - and that's our manifesto being launched today."Mr Campbell Bannerman told the BBC: "We have policies in all areas, including animal welfare, pubs etc, right across the board - and that's our manifesto being launched today."
He told a press conference that the UK could establish a free trade area with the Commonwealth to establish links with "our kith and kin".He told a press conference that the UK could establish a free trade area with the Commonwealth to establish links with "our kith and kin".
The party's campaign slogan in its bid for a Westminster breakthrough is "Straight Talking".The party's campaign slogan in its bid for a Westminster breakthrough is "Straight Talking".
They promise a new flat tax at 31%.They promise a new flat tax at 31%.
We can't have our own immigration and asylum policy if we remain members of this European Union Nigel Farage UKIP manifesto 2010 Download the reader hereWe can't have our own immigration and asylum policy if we remain members of this European Union Nigel Farage UKIP manifesto 2010 Download the reader here
UKIP also want a five year freeze on new immigrants settling in Britain and a ban on wearing the burka in public buildings and certain private buildings, and boot camps for young offenders.UKIP also want a five year freeze on new immigrants settling in Britain and a ban on wearing the burka in public buildings and certain private buildings, and boot camps for young offenders.
As part of a budget to reduce public spending by an extra £50bn per year, they would simplify tax and welfare by removing means testing from pensions, which they say would mean an £8bn saving.
The party's former leader Nigel Farage is standing in Buckingham against the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow.The party's former leader Nigel Farage is standing in Buckingham against the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow.
Mr Farage said the election campaign so far had been a "piddling irrelevance" and the mainstream parties had not addressed the reality of the UK's economic problems.Mr Farage said the election campaign so far had been a "piddling irrelevance" and the mainstream parties had not addressed the reality of the UK's economic problems.
"It really is time for some straight talking," he added."It really is time for some straight talking," he added.
"We are skint. We need some massive cutbacks in the public sector."We are skint. We need some massive cutbacks in the public sector.
"We can't have our own immigration and asylum policy if we remain members of this European Union.""We can't have our own immigration and asylum policy if we remain members of this European Union."
Other candidates will include the boxing promoter Frank Maloney in Barking, Lord Pearson's wife Lady Pearson in Kensington and the former Conservative MP Christopher Gill in Ludlow.
In the 2009 European Parliament elections they beat Labour to second place, winning 13 seats, but UKIP expelled MEP Nikki Sinclaire in March after she refused to be part of its multi-national group.In the 2009 European Parliament elections they beat Labour to second place, winning 13 seats, but UKIP expelled MEP Nikki Sinclaire in March after she refused to be part of its multi-national group.