article_snippet.sent: the Kent seat Tory is contesting.
article_snippet.sent: the party won last yearFarage’s European elections with a sensational 27.5 per cent of the vote, compared to 24 for the Conservatives.
article_snippet.sent: But nationally Ukip’s support is now down to 14 per cent, while the Tories have risen to 34.
article_snippet.sent: Ukip hopes of becoming a major parliamentary force received a huge boost when two Tory defectors, Douglas Carswell and Mark Reckless, won stunning by-election victories last year in Clacton and Rochester respectively.
article_snippet.sent: However, the decline in support for Ukip has led to most pundits predicting they will end up with a maximum of five MPs in May.
article_snippet.sent: It is frankly just not credible for me to continue to lead the party without a Westminster seat of my own.
article_snippet.sent: What credibility would Ukip have in the Commons if others had to enunciate party policy in Parliament and the party leader was only allowed in as a guest?
article_snippet.sent: Am I supposed to brief Ukip policy from the Westminster Arms pub?
article_snippet.sent: It could lead to a change in direction for Ukip:
article_snippet.sent: The constituency was the first stop last week on Samantha Cameron’s Election tour itinerary.