"We can cause an earthquake": Farage sets out UKIP's electoral ambitions

Speaking to the UKIP annual conference in Westminster, leader Nigel Farage spoke of his ambitions for the party he says is "changing politics".

Mr Farage declared: "In eight months’ time there are the European elections and the Council elections.

"UKIP will be standing in both sets, fielding thousands of candidates. I’m taking nothing for granted but I think we’re going to do well in the European elections.

"My ambition, my conviction is that we can come first and cause an earthquake."

The UKIP leader also set out his belief that the party can overtake the Liberal Democrats in membership, to become the third party in British politics within two years.

He accused "the establishment" of "closing down the immigration debate for 20 years", calling it "the biggest single issue facing this country."

"It affects the economy. The NHS. Schools. Public services. The deficit," he said.

Touching on recent media coverage around internal disagreements and the controversy over MEP Godfrey Bloom's claim that British foreign aid goes to "bongo-bongo land", Mr Farage defended his party's independent-mindedness:

"UKIP is the most independent-minded body of men and women who have ever come together in the name of British politics. Which presents occasional difficulties.

"We have some people with overactive Facebook accounts. And we have some who make public pronouncements that I would not always choose myself.

"But, the essence of our recent success is our ability to push the boundaries of debate and with that, the national debate on many issues.

"If the choice is between our being browbeaten through political correctness to stay within the current received wisdoms or to be a party of free debate then be in no doubt we must be the party of radical alternatives and free speech."

However, the UKIP leader sought to clamp down on allegations from some that his party is racist:

"We oppose racism. We oppose extremism. We oppose sectarianism of the left or right.

"We are the only party that bans the BNP from membership."

Mr Farage did not attempt to predict the outcome of his anti-EU party's campaign in the European elections in 2014 but said he wanted to turn next May's poll "into a referendum on EU membership".

UKIP came second in the last European elections in 2009, gaining 16.5% of the popular vote - behind only the Conservatives - and returned 13 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). However, the party does not currently have a Westminster MP.

Mr Farage concluded by saying: "Let's make May 22nd as our referendum on EU membership, let us send an earthquake through Westminster. Let us stand up and say: Give us our country back!"

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