FORMER Kent Tory MP Jonathan Aitken has decided against standing for the UK Independence Party in his old Kent constituency.

However, he is planning to play a key role in UKIP’s general election campaign in Thanet South, which is currently represented by the Labour MP Dr Steve Ladyman.

UKIP is to confirm on Wednesday night (December 8) that its MEP Nigel Farage will be the official parliamentary candidate for the constituency.

Mr Aitken, who had previously said he was in “two minds” about whether to stand as a UKIP candidate, is said to have decided several weeks ago he had too many other commitments.

However, a personal message of support from the former MP, declaring his backing for UKIP, is due to be read out at Wednesday evening's adoption meeting.

Mr Farage said UKIP had a realistic chance of causing an upset at the general election, now widely expected in May.

He said: “There is a big swing vote. At the European elections, we estimate we got around 35 per cent of the vote in Thanet South and in a recent council by-election in a traditional Labour ward, we got 26 per cent of the vote. Thanet South is one of those constituencies where a 30 per cent share of the vote might be enough to win it.”

UKIP’s campaign in Thanet South is likely to be bolstered by the presence of one of the party’s major donors, the businessman and former bookmaker Alan Bown.

Mr Bown, who comes from the area, has already announced he intends to give UKIP substantial donations after its former big benefactor, Paul Sykes, said he would no longer be supporting the party.