Farage: UKIP is NOT racist

Ahead of the European elections on May 22 UKIP leader Nigel Farage has argued that his party’s policies are not racist.

Farage launched his party's election drive in Sheffield yesterday (Tuesday), amid controversy over UKIP campaign posters.

Critics, including Labour MP Mike Gapes, have said that one of the posters, which implies that 26 million Europeans want British jobs, is ‘racist’.

But Nigel Farage has hit back at the claims, arguing that preferential treatment for British workers is not a racist policy.

Talking to Sky News, Mr Farage said: "I think it's the job of the Government to make sure it puts British people and their interests first, yes. Of that there is no question.

"I don't think it can be deemed racist in any way. We've never in our history had a complete open door, and now we have one to 485 million people.

"I don't think we should have a complete open door to the labour market in this country from the European Union."

At the conference Farage described the upcoming European elections as “the most important European elections that have ever been fought in this country.”

The Eurosceptic continued:

"We've got a chance four and a half weeks from now to cause such a shock in the British political system that it will be nothing short of an earthquake.

"If UKIP wins these elections, a referendum and a chance to get back control of our country will be one massive, massive step closer."

Farage was optimistic about his party’s chances, saying: "I think we will win."