THE UKIP challenger to Labour’s Glenda Jackson in Hampstead and Highgate has admitted he only rejoined the party two weeks ago following a brief spell with Robert Kilroy-Silk’s Veritas party, writes Richard Osley.
But Magnus Neilsen, who netted more than 8,000 votes for UKIP in the London Assembly elections last year, said he is committed to running Ms Jackson close at next Thursday’s poll.
He said: “I don’t think there is much difference between UKIP and Veritas. It is about personalities. In the end they will have to be united. I do think UKIP is in the stronger position, though.”
Mr Neilsen, who lives in Swiss Cottage, insists he is not solely targeting disaffected Tories.
He said: “People join us from all parties. I have been canvassing on council estates and have got a very good response. All parties want to have more police and more hospitals and schools but the question is how are they going to pay for it all?
“None of them can tell you. We are clear – you pay for it by getting out of Europe.”
Mr Neilsen took on Holborn and St Pancras MP Frank Dobson in the 2001 general election but was soundly beaten. He said that, because of lack of funds, Mr Dobson’s constituency would not be contested this year.
The candidate, however, is heartened by his showing in the Camden and Brent constituency in last summer’s London Assembly elections when he polled nearly seven per cent of the vote.
He said: “Nobody thought I would get my deposit back but I did, and it showed that people are coming together behind what UKIP is saying.”