The UK Independence Party has named its new prospective parliamentary candidate for
the Sittingbourne and Sheppey constituency.

Richard Palmer secured the role after Ian Davison stepped down at the beginning of December.

He has been actively involved with UKIP since September 2009, and is currently a parish councillor for the Newington area.

The married grandad of five says he knows first hand the importance of supporting the country’s armed forces, the NHS and public services.

After leaving school aged 16, he served in the 2nd Battalion the Queen’s Regiment for 11 years, completing operational tours of duty in Northern Ireland, Germany, Belsize and Cyprus.

In 1985 he left the army and joined South East Coast Ambulance Service, training as a paramedic, and serving in Medway and at Sheppey ambulance station.

On leaving the service, he formed a training company called Medi Aid, which he continues to operate.

For nearly 20 years he has been involved with the Air Training Corps, initially with Faversham Squadron, where he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant, before moving on to Chatham as commanding officer for nine years. He is currently on the committee at Sittingbourne.

Mr Palmer, of Station Road, Newington, said: “Sittingbourne and Sheppey has been disadvantaged for years by the current political system, and I will work hard to improve the constituency.

“I’m keen to see developments in education, and would favour skills training centres, and improvements to the health service provided in the area.”

Speaking about national issues, he said: “I feel that for a country to give up control of its borders, its justice system and monetary governance is simply stupid.

“The UK needs people who can benefit the UK, not those that come for our benefits.

“UKIP has sensible polices on the NHS, tax, welfare, defence, employment, world trade, education, housing, justice, energy, environment, fishing, farming, local government, etc.

“It is not just a single-issue party concerned about the EU, but about the UK and its future. It is fair to say, that owing to the chains of the EU, the UK is unable to decide its own future.

“The political elite of the Lib, Lab, Cons have sold out ordinary people, and this must change.”