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Ex-Ukip leader Craig Mackinlay set to stand as Conservative MP for Thanet South Ex-Ukip leader Craig Mackinlay set to stand as Conservative MP for Thanet South
(about 1 hour later)
An ex-Ukip leader has been selected to stand as the Conservative candidate for the Kent constituency of Thanet South in next year’s General Election. An ex-Ukip leader has been selected to stand as the Conservative candidate for the Kent constituency of Thanet South in next year’s general election.
Craig Mackinlay has been selected by the Conservative Party to replace former Thanet South MP Laura Sandys as the candidate for the election set to take place in May 2015. Craig Mackinlay has been chosen by the Conservative Party to replace Laura Sandys as the candidate for the election set to take place in May 2015.
Mackinlay, who temporarily led Ukip in 1997 before being replaced by Michael Holmes, said in June that there was a “distinct possibility” that he could stand as the Tory candidate for the Thanet South seat. Mackinlay, who temporarily led Ukip in 1997 before being replaced by Michael Holmes, said in June that there was a “distinct possibility” that he could stand as the Tory candidate for the seat.
It is believed that Thanet South was one of the constituencies in the South East that Ukip leader Nigel Farage was eyeing up as a potential place to contest during the 2015 General Election. In 2005, Farage finished fourth when he stood in the same constituency, and it is believed he is eyeing up the seat for next year's election.
In the 2005 election, Farage attempts to become Thanet South MP for Ukip candidate saw him come fourth with 2,079 votes.  
A decision on which constituency Farage will contest is expected to be announced later this summer.A decision on which constituency Farage will contest is expected to be announced later this summer.
Mackinlay began his political career in the early 1990s as part of Alan Sked’s Anti-Federalist League, the party that would later become the UK Independence Party.Mackinlay began his political career in the early 1990s as part of Alan Sked’s Anti-Federalist League, the party that would later become the UK Independence Party.
After being chosen as the person to replace Sked, he lost a leadership vote to Michael Holmes in 1997 and was demoted to the role of Ukip’s Deputy Leader until 2000.After being chosen as the person to replace Sked, he lost a leadership vote to Michael Holmes in 1997 and was demoted to the role of Ukip’s Deputy Leader until 2000.
Remaining active in the Party for another five years, in 2005 he decided to switch allegiances and join the Conservative Party where he has served as a Tory councillor in the Medway council ever since. Remaining active in the party for another five years, in 2005 he decided to switch allegiances and join the Conservative Party where he has served as a Tory councillor in the Medway council ever since.
He was also chosen as the Conservative candidate for Kent’s first ever Police and Crime Commissioner Elections in November 2012.He was also chosen as the Conservative candidate for Kent’s first ever Police and Crime Commissioner Elections in November 2012.
Farage has refused to comment on the Conservative’s decision to put forward his former Ukip colleague for the seat in Thanet South. Farage has refused to comment on the Conservative’s decision to put forward his former Ukip colleague for the seat.
The other candidates Mr Mackinlay will stand against in the election will be Councillor Will Scobie (Labour), Russ Timpson (Liberal Democrats) and Thanet Councillor Ian Driver (Green Party). Mr Mackinlay will be up against Will Scobie (Labour), Russ Timpson (Liberal Democrats) and Ian Driver (Green Party).