So Nikki, what brought you into politics?  I became interested at about 11 when Margaret Thatcher was elected Prime Minister. I became an admirer of her strong personality and her principles. I like conviction politicians rather than popularity led ones like Blair. When I realised that our country was being given away piecemeal to unelected bureaucrats in Brussels I decided that I too had to make a stand for my principles. 

 

Can you make a difference?  Yes and I do. When I first joined UKIP in 1996 we were laughed at when we spoke of withdrawing from the EU, now it is a serious debate. UKIP has achieved this (along with the Referendum Party in 1997) by forcing both main parties to agree to referendums on the Single Currency and more recently the EU constitution. Our threat at the ballot box and our success in 1999 and notably in 2004 with 16.1% of the vote beating the Lib Dems has scared the political elite. Every time I stand for election or any other activity, I am educating the public as to the reality of the corrupt and doomed mess that is the EU. 

 

Other than the EU, do you have any other driving forces?  I espouse small government and individual responsibility. I think ‘Orwellian’ nanny state politics are counter productive to a successful society. Of course, the state and its tenets of executive, legislature and judiciary are essential in providing a framework. I acknowledge that it can be a balancing act and we may never get it exactly right. However, we should always endeavour to do so. I believe that the state has a responsibility to  vulnerable people in society and should provide a safety net. We need to be careful though, the larger the safety net the more people will jump. I strongly believe in equality for all in treatment and opportunity.

 

What is your vision of Britain or Britishness? Of course, I am immensely proud of being British  We have a society though not perfect, is diverse and has benefited from hundreds of years of immigration. This is true of those who have arrived post war to the present day. I want to see a colour blind society not a culture blind one. While embracing and integrating other cultures we should not be ashamed of our own. The political correct lobby have gone too far in over compensating. This short sight ness has led to resentment. In Birmingham recently we saw two minority communities in dispute that led to deaths. We must be more responsible and I espouse greater communication and co-operation among cultures.

 

So where are you on immigration? Britain has a long tradition of providing a safe haven for those fleeing persecution and long may that continue. Britain has a moral duty to those people who are in genuine need.  People who enter this country on a false premise of being a victim are nothing more than criminal and are detrimentally impacting on those in genuine need.

Because of the falling birth-rate we need some economic immigration to maintain our economy and public services.  I see nothing wrong in being selective about this in the same way as New Zealand, Canada, Australia and the US.

 

You have a reputation of being strong willed/bolshy—your comments? Surely not me! As I have said,  I admire strong people with principles. I have an innate sense of fairness and standing up for myself, others and my country if I feel something is wrong. Other peoples reaction to that is a matter for them — it will be a sad day when you can not stand up for what you believe is right.

 

You’ve been no stranger to the press. In particular your private life has been exposed, how do you feel about that? As a citizen of this country I have as much right as any other of expressing my view. My private life does not impact on my ability to espouse  these views. I find it ridiculous that headlines such as ‘ 6’4” Lesbian…’ can be used in modern society while at the same time journalists ignoring the issues I am there to support. Is my height/sexuality more important that the way we are governed? I think not. I am not ashamed of my sexuality and I have no ulterior motives. I am a person in a democratic society and will continue to exert my democratic rights.

 

Thank you Nikki. Pleasure.