by political editor Paul Francis

Tackling immigration and the failing economy have been placed as key priorities by the United Kingdom Independence Party leader Lord Pearson, who launched the party's Kent campaign in Dover today.

Lord Pearson also defended the party's decision not to field a candidate in a key Kent marginal being targeted by the Conservatives, saying the party intended to campaign actively on behalf of candidate Mark Reckless who is contesting Rochester and Strood.

He also said his party advocated a local referendum on the possible privatisation of the Port of Dover but in a minor blunder, admitted he was unaware the party's manifesto pledged support for the controversial Thames Estuary airport scheme being promoted by Boris Johnson.

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Lord Pearson was visiting the Dover Sea Sports Centre in the harbour, where he met the party's 16 candidates contesting Kent seats.

He played down the prospects of a parliamentary breakthrough for the party on May 6 after solid performances in last year's European elections but emphasised the party's key policy of withdrawing from the EU was central to solving the economic problems of the country.

Lord Pearson said: "I hope people will recognise that the two main issues are undoubtedly the economy and the terrifying state of our finances and immigration.

"You cannot really solve either if you stay in the EU. The three main parties do not want to talk about it or the fact that it costs us £120bn a year."

On immigration, he said UKIP opposed EU plans that could allow more migrants to come to the UK.

"We cannot control our borders if we stay in the UK," Lord Pearson added.

"In a couple of years, there is going to be a new EU directive that means our borders will be open to people from all over the planet... these are crucial issues in the campaign."

Asked why UKIP was standing down its candidate in the key constituency of Rochester and Strood, he said: "I am asking our supporters to raise their sights above party politics and put the national interest first.

"It would be a mistake for UKIP to keep genuine and determined Euro-sceptics out of the House of Commons in a seat where we cannot win."

He had proposed withdrawing from Sittingbourne and Sheppey but the local party had disagreed, he revealed.

However, in a minor slip up he confessed he did not know that UKIP was supporting "Boris Island" - the controversial airport scheme proposed for the Thames Estuary.

Asked why, he said: "I am afraid I don't know. I am not going to flannel you and pretend I know the answer to that."