Encouraging business into Sittingbourne and free parking are some of the things the UK Independence Party candidate selected to fight for the Sittingbourne and Sheppey seat at the general election wants to see.

Ian Davison, 44, said he is delighted to have been voted in by members of the local UKIP branch as prospective parliamentary candidate for the area.

Despite having no political background, Mr Davison, who lives in Tunstall, formed the Sheppey and Sittingbourne branch of UKIP last September with two others.

The branch now has 50 members and he said he believes there is a huge amount of interest in the party’s policies.

Dad-of-two Mr Davison explains: “Although we were promised a referendum by all three major parties on the Lisbon Treaty, all three broke their promise and that cannot be right.

“UKIP wants to stop unlimited immigration and work on a system similar to Australia.

“At present, no British government can ever stop immigration because the EU says everyone within the EU has freedom of movement.

“We believe we have to leave the EU to stop this and then we can control our own borders.

“I want a Westminster that has full control of our courts, our Armed Forces, our laws and regulations but most importantly I do not want our country’s future being decided by an unelected politician in Brussels.”

Last year at the European Elections in Swale, UKIP came second with 6,780 votes.

UKIP are fielding a candidate in all 17 seats in Kent and have more than 500 candidates in the whole country.

If chosen as the new MP, there are also some local issues close to Mr Davison’s heart.

Mr Davison, who works in sales for a European food company, said: “In Sittingbourne we have got the big trading estate and we want to promote more business to come to it..

“I would also like to get free parking in the town as I think this would encourage businesses and shoppers to visit.”

Mr Davison also said he would like accident and emergency facilities for Swale.