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UKIP's Nigel Farage offers post-election deal with Tories | UKIP's Nigel Farage offers post-election deal with Tories |
(35 minutes later) | |
UKIP would do a post-election deal with a potential minority Conservative government if there is an EU referendum in 2015, Nigel Farage has said. | UKIP would do a post-election deal with a potential minority Conservative government if there is an EU referendum in 2015, Nigel Farage has said. |
In extracts from his memoirs in the Daily Telegraph, the UKIP leader ruled out a formal coalition, saying voters would see it as "selling out". | In extracts from his memoirs in the Daily Telegraph, the UKIP leader ruled out a formal coalition, saying voters would see it as "selling out". |
But he said he would agree to a pact to prop up a Tory government in return for an EU referendum before Christmas. | But he said he would agree to a pact to prop up a Tory government in return for an EU referendum before Christmas. |
David Cameron has promised a referendum in 2017 if his party is elected. | David Cameron has promised a referendum in 2017 if his party is elected. |
In his new book The Purple Revolution, which being serialised by the newspaper, Mr Farage issued the prime minister with a four-point ultimatum on Britain's position in Europe. | In his new book The Purple Revolution, which being serialised by the newspaper, Mr Farage issued the prime minister with a four-point ultimatum on Britain's position in Europe. |
In exchange, he said UKIP would back a minority Conservative government on key votes such as the Budget. | In exchange, he said UKIP would back a minority Conservative government on key votes such as the Budget. |
A Tory/UKIP/DUP three-way deal was a "possible scenario" as UKIP and the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) shared a Eurosceptic position, he said. | |
"UKIP and the Northern Irish would take a similar role to that of the Liberal Democrats now," he said. | |
"Now the party has moved on from its sectarian approach to issues, we have developed a mutual respect for each other," he said. | "Now the party has moved on from its sectarian approach to issues, we have developed a mutual respect for each other," he said. |
The DUP, which is currently the fourth largest party in the Commons with eight seats, has said an EU referendum would be a part of any deal it made in the event of a hung Parliament. | |
'No wiggle room' | 'No wiggle room' |
The UKIP leader said the terms of his deal with the Tories would be "very precise and simple". | The UKIP leader said the terms of his deal with the Tories would be "very precise and simple". |
"I want a full and fair referendum to be held in 2015 to allow Britons to vote on being in or out of the European Union," he said. | "I want a full and fair referendum to be held in 2015 to allow Britons to vote on being in or out of the European Union," he said. |
He said the wording of the question put to voters was "hugely" important, and proposed: "Do you wish to be a free, independent sovereign democracy?" as a "starting point". | He said the wording of the question put to voters was "hugely" important, and proposed: "Do you wish to be a free, independent sovereign democracy?" as a "starting point". |
Under his plans for the referendum, the four million EU nationals living in Britain on foreign passports -including his German wife Kirsten - should not be allowed to vote. | |
He said he would demand strict spending limits on campaigning, and an ombudsman to "police coverage" of any referendum. | He said he would demand strict spending limits on campaigning, and an ombudsman to "police coverage" of any referendum. |
It would be possible to hold the referendum in 2015 "given that it only takes a few weeks to launch and organise a referendum," he said. | It would be possible to hold the referendum in 2015 "given that it only takes a few weeks to launch and organise a referendum," he said. |
"There would be no wiggle room for ''re-negotiation'' somewhere down the line", he added. | "There would be no wiggle room for ''re-negotiation'' somewhere down the line", he added. |
Mr Farage went on to say if Mr Cameron agreed to the terms, there was "no question that UKIP would not do a deal". | |
He said he did not want a seat in Cabinet or a ministerial title because "apart from anything else, most of the people sitting around that Cabinet table are ghastly". | He said he did not want a seat in Cabinet or a ministerial title because "apart from anything else, most of the people sitting around that Cabinet table are ghastly". |
While he admitted "a vast number of them (Tories) hate us and I dislike them", he said he could work with Conservative Chief Whip Michael Gove. | While he admitted "a vast number of them (Tories) hate us and I dislike them", he said he could work with Conservative Chief Whip Michael Gove. |
Last May, Mr Cameron said there would be no pact with UKIP after UKIP's gains in council elections. | |
"We are the Conservative Party. We don't do pacts and deals. We are fighting all out for an all-out win at the next election," he said at the time. | "We are the Conservative Party. We don't do pacts and deals. We are fighting all out for an all-out win at the next election," he said at the time. |
The prime minister has promised a vote on whether to sever ties with Brussels by the end of 2017 if he remains in No 10 after the general election. | |
He has faced some pressure from sections of the Tory party and the business community to hold an earlier vote. |