Party Leader launches strong UKIP challenge in local by-election

Nigel Farage, chatting to a member of the public on Market Street, Heywood

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UKIP kicked off its Heywood and Middleton by-election campaign with a visit from the party’s leader, today Thursday 18 September.

Nigel Farage dropped into the newly opened campaign shop in Market Street, Heywood, to meet the UKIP candidate, John Bickley and talk to the public and local business owners about their concerns.

He then went on to Middleton town centre, to meet regulars at the Roebuck Inn.

In front of a crowd of supporters, Mr Farage said: “This by-election is a straight fight between the establishment Labour Party, that have let the working people and pensioners of Heywood and Middleton down time and time again, or our fresh party, made up of real people that understand real concerns.

“Talking to people in Heywood and Middleton, they are saying they are fed up with open door immigration, that drives down their wages, puts a huge strain on the NHS and lets foreign criminals onto our streets.

“They want Britain to be able to decide its own immigration policies, and be free to take decisions in the best interest of the country, not what suits the other 27 EU countries.”

Janet Wyatt, a local worker in Heywood, approached Mr Farage and Mr Bickley as they entered a town centre café. Talking about immigration, she said: “I am delighted UKIP are standing here, and have a good chance of winning this seat. People in Britain are angry and frustrated by open door immigration, and the effect it’s having on all our public services.”

Local businessman Phil Pearson spoke to Mr Farage outside The Edwin Waugh public house.

He said: “As Scotland voted on its independence from us, it seems crazy that we don’t have the power to make our own decisions as a nation.

“For too long we have been ruled from the EU, and we need to change that if we want to prosper.”

John Bickley, 61, is the candidate for UKIP, he said: “The campaign is only a few days old, but I have been stunned by the level of support coming from local people who have been life-long Labour voters. They just want a change for the better in Heywood and Middleton and are fed up of the stagnation from the establishment.

“UKIP are the only party that represent their interests now.”