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UKIP Welsh conference: 'Massive assault' on assembly | UKIP Welsh conference: 'Massive assault' on assembly |
(about 1 hour later) | |
UKIP leader Nigel Farage is targeting seven or eight Welsh seats at the general election and plans a "massive assault" on the assembly elections. | UKIP leader Nigel Farage is targeting seven or eight Welsh seats at the general election and plans a "massive assault" on the assembly elections. |
Speaking at UKIP's first Welsh conference on Saturday he said the party should have genuine belief it can be the opposition in Cardiff Bay. | Speaking at UKIP's first Welsh conference on Saturday he said the party should have genuine belief it can be the opposition in Cardiff Bay. |
He also named Welsh MEP Nathan Gill as the party's Welsh leader and announced two defectors to UKIP. | He also named Welsh MEP Nathan Gill as the party's Welsh leader and announced two defectors to UKIP. |
About 50 protestors gathered outside the conference at Margam Park. | About 50 protestors gathered outside the conference at Margam Park. |
UKIP claims it is now the main challenger to Labour in Wales and has its rivals "on the run". | UKIP claims it is now the main challenger to Labour in Wales and has its rivals "on the run". |
It has opened campaign offices in Merthyr and Penarth, and is due to open another in Shotton, Flintshire, next week. | It has opened campaign offices in Merthyr and Penarth, and is due to open another in Shotton, Flintshire, next week. |
The party came within 4,500 votes of beating Labour into first place in the European elections in Wales in May. | The party came within 4,500 votes of beating Labour into first place in the European elections in Wales in May. |
Welsh Labour has launched an advertising campaign attacking Mr Farage as a "Thatcherite". | Welsh Labour has launched an advertising campaign attacking Mr Farage as a "Thatcherite". |
But during his speech to the conference, Mr Farage responded to Labour supporters saying UKIP is not welcome in Wales by saying: "It's a bit late mate, We're already here!" | But during his speech to the conference, Mr Farage responded to Labour supporters saying UKIP is not welcome in Wales by saying: "It's a bit late mate, We're already here!" |
He said coming close to Labour in the European elections "was simply the most stunning result of the night". | He said coming close to Labour in the European elections "was simply the most stunning result of the night". |
He added: "Our progress electorally and organisationally in Wales is fantastic. We've trebled our membership here." | He added: "Our progress electorally and organisationally in Wales is fantastic. We've trebled our membership here." |
On devolution Mr Farage took another swipe at the Labour-led Welsh government. | On devolution Mr Farage took another swipe at the Labour-led Welsh government. |
"It isn't devolution that's failing Wales, it's the administration in Cardiff," Mr Farage said. | "It isn't devolution that's failing Wales, it's the administration in Cardiff," Mr Farage said. |
Turning his attention to next year's general election, he said targeting seven or eight seats and making Mr Gill leader in Wales "sends a signal we're taking Welsh politics seriously". | Turning his attention to next year's general election, he said targeting seven or eight seats and making Mr Gill leader in Wales "sends a signal we're taking Welsh politics seriously". |
And on the assembly elections, he added: "We're planning a massive assault on the Welsh assembly elections in 2016. | And on the assembly elections, he added: "We're planning a massive assault on the Welsh assembly elections in 2016. |
"We should go into those elections with a genuine belief we can be the opposition party in Cardiff Bay." | "We should go into those elections with a genuine belief we can be the opposition party in Cardiff Bay." |
Former Newport Conservative councillor William Routley and former Cardiff Plaid Cymru councillor Mohammad Sarul Islam have defected to UKIP. | Former Newport Conservative councillor William Routley and former Cardiff Plaid Cymru councillor Mohammad Sarul Islam have defected to UKIP. |
A Plaid Cymru spokesperson said its former member had not been an active member "for some years". | A Plaid Cymru spokesperson said its former member had not been an active member "for some years". |
Hear Nigel Farage's interview on BBC Radio Wales' Sunday Supplement at 08:00 GMT or see it on BBC One Wales' Sunday Politics Wales at 11:00 GMT on Sunday 7 December. |