UKIP protest vote will not improve EU, says Tory MEP

UKIP's bid to bring down the European Union system from within will do nothing to reform the EU or its institutions, according to a Conservative MEP for the North West.

UKIP has urged Rochdale voters to use the June Euro-elections to say no to being ruled from Brussels but MEP Sajjad Karim says that a vote for UKIP is a vote wasted.

"I am all for reform of the European Union and its institutions, but by electing UKIP MEPs, I do not know how people will ever see any improvements in the functionality of the European Union," said the Tory MEP.

"Let’s take a moment to take a look at what UKIP MEPs have achieved in the European Parliament. In 2004 they returned 12 MEPs but completely wasted the opportunity. Their MEPs have been characterised by in-fighting and scandal; as a result, one third of their MEPs have left or been expelled.

"UKIP failed to support plans to cut EU red tape for small businesses and to exempt the smallest firms from the EU regulations altogether."