WITH the general election around the corner, The Bolton News is running a series of features with candidates vying for your vote. Here, politics reporter Elaine O'Flynn speaks to the UKIP candidate for Bolton South East, Jeff Armstrong

THE UKIP candidate in Bolton South East had never voted in a general election before 2005 — and now he is standing to be a Member of Parliament.

Magistrate Jeff Armstrong is standing against Labour MP Yasmin Qureshi for a place in Westminster, and will combine his general election campaign with a bid to become councillor for Farnworth.

The 51-year-old joined UKIP in 2009 because of their 'common sense' policies, he tells The Bolton News, particularly their opposition to HS2 and protection of the green belt.

"I have more than 35 years' experience in the rail industry. I am against HS2 and question the wisdom of spending well in excess of £50 billion", he said.

"The project will take decades to complete and be a drain on the economy, and once completed, rather than fuelling prosperity in the North of England, it will suck the life out of the North and further overheat the situation in London."

On UKIP's most well-known stance on leaving the European Union, grandfather Mr Armstrong said he wants small businesses to be able to 'discriminate' in favour of young British workers, coupled with tougher immigration controls.

"I recognise the benefits of limited, controlled immigration and will work towards the UK leaving the EU so that we can take back control of our borders", he said.

"Those wanting to live and work in the UK must have a job to go to, must speak English, must have accommodation agreed prior to their arrival and must have NHS-approved health insurance.

"Migrants will only be eligible for benefits — in work or out of work — when they have been paying tax and National Insurance for five years and will only be eligible for permanent residence after 10 years."

Mr Armstrong completely denied that his party would look to privatise parts of the NHS, adding that pulling out of the EU and drastically slashing the foreign aid budget would free up funds to pay for more doctors and nurses.

He said: "UKIP has some great policies for the National Health Service — we will ensure the NHS is free at point of delivery and time of need for all UK residents.

"We will ensure that GPs' surgeries are open at least one evening per week, and we oppose plans to charge patients for visiting their GP."

Locally, If elected he says he would open a constituency office in Farnworth — 'the heart of Bolton South East' — and campaign against the new student halls planned for Cheadle Square, which he argues is completely out of place with the historic surroundings in Le Mans Crescent.

More also needs to be done to promote integration of the minority communities in Bolton, he adds.

Asked what he thinks of incumbent MP Ms Qureshi and whether he can overturn her 8,000 majority, he says: "It doesn't concern me.

"My campaign is about me promoting UKIP rather than criticising what other parties are doing.

"This is the first real election campaign Bolton UKIP have run, and we haven't got the big amount of money that the others have got."

He added: "I have had a lot of positive conversations with people while out campaigning.

"We have been Labour controlled for many many years, and people want change.

"Since UKIP have got two councillors in Bolton Council I think we have caused a lot of debate, and people support Cllr Paul Richardson — he is a character.

"I want to see the party get a third councillor elected, so we make a proper group.

"What we showed at the last local elections in Bolton is that if you vote UKIP, you will get UKIP."

What do you think? Email letters@theboltonnews.co.uk