UKIP hopeful looks beyond Europe

Interview By Emma Griffiths BBC News political reporter

GERARD BATTEN Age: 53 Family: Married with two sons School: St Bernard's comprehensive, Bethnal Green Lives: Forest Gate Career: BT Salesman, MEP Profile: Gerard Batten

UKIP mayoral candidate Gerard Batten says he is an ordinary Londoner who wants to concentrate on the "common sense" things most people care about.

It is not just about Europe, says the 53-year-old MEP.

Born and raised in east London, he says he has watched the city get more traffic-clogged, crime get "out of control" and council tax rocket under incumbent mayor Ken Livingstone.

He said he despairs at "what the established political parties have done to Britain" and thinks he could do as good a job as anyone at turning things around in London.

Among issues getting him particularly hot under the collar is the congestion charge or, as he sees it, "a manifestation of Ken's hatred of the motorist".

'Screwing the motorist'

He believes what is currently an �8-a-day charge does not work and only puts money in the pockets of the scheme's administrator Capita.

That scheme and a host of other traffic restrictions, would be axed under a UKIP mayor - among them residents' parking permits, or in his words "just a means of screwing money out of the motorist". Instead he would divert resources into tracking untaxed and unlicensed drivers.

Mr Batten, a founder member of UKIP, is very dismissive of what he sees as political correctness - something evident in his approach to social housing. He argues that long-term London residents should get priority over new immigrants on the city's housing waiting lists.

TOP PLEDGES Crime: More police less bureaucracy Get traffic moving Control council tax, cut if possible Reversing "persecution of the motorist" Long-term residents prioritised for housing

A similar suggestion from the Labour MP for Barking Margaret Hodge last year saw her heavily criticised by members of her own party, amid comparisons with BNP policy, but Mr Batten thinks she had a point.

"Margaret Hodge, as much as I can't stand the woman, actually faced reality when she spoke about that," said Mr Batten.

"Unfortunately now if you try to talk about these things people will try to close down your argument by comparing you to the BNP and insulting you in other ways but I can't let that deter me from speaking the truth. "

He adds: "If people want to come to this country as workers, it's up to them to sort out their own accommodation before they get here. They can't expect it to be provided by the state."

Axe City Hall

He would happily axe quangos and the London Assembly itself - arguing it would be cheaper to scrap City Hall and instead get existing borough council representatives to meet regularly to hold the mayor to account.

The MEP says he wants the chance to set policy, rather than fighting a "rearguard action" in Brussels against the EU, but adds: "I will do my utmost to ensure the European Union's writ does not run in London."

Europe was the issue that spurred him into politics. A BT salesman for 28 years, the Maastricht Treaty was the final straw for Mr Batten, who joined the anti-federalist league, which went on to become the UK Independence Party.

Crime is out of control in many parts of London Gerard Batten

He says London, as a major wealth generator for the UK, has suffered disproportionately from Britain's membership of the EU in taxes paid and "unnecessary regulation" for businesses.

And he blames the government's "open door" policy on immigration for its crowded transport system and housing shortage, arguing London is "full to bursting".

Mr Batten, who grew up in Millwall and now lives in Forest Gate, believes London has changed from England's capital city to "an international city that just happens to be in England".

He believes "unlimited, uncontrolled and indiscriminate" immigration is leading to a breakdown of British national identity and is a firm opponent of multiculturalism.

'Ludicrous' funding

As mayor he would focus on "one class of Londoner, those who live, work and pay taxes in London" and would put an end to "the politics of the minority" by axing funding for minority events.

Among festivals he would stop funding is Gay Pride, a pledge which recently earned him the newspaper headline: "UKIP mayoral candidate - no cash for gays."

He describes that as a "stitch up", saying: "In context I said I wouldn't give money to any of these groups."

Of course it's going to be tough. Elections are always tough but you always have to go into a fight like this fighting to win Gerard Batten

He says he is not racist or homophobic, he just does not believe public money should be spent on these events: "I think it's ludicrous."

"Why don't they have a march for middle-aged men who want to go out with 24-year-old blonde bimbos... I don't want to hear about that either."

He adds: "What people want to do in their private sex lives is their business."

Instead he says taxpayers' money should be spent on "things that are important to London", like major infrastructure projects and making the streets safer.

Combating crime would be his top priority as mayor - as a father-of-two he says he worries about his teenage sons and says more police are needed on the streets rather than "behind computers".

'Fighting crime'

"Crime is out of control in many parts of London. I have had the police come to my house on a number of occasions because we have been the victims of crime and the best advice the police gave me is: 'You had better move'."

On the morning of the interview, his secretary was attacked not far from his office in London Bridge and was frustrated at not being able to get through on the telephone to report it.

She said she spent 20 minutes on hold before being referred to the police website, only to find there was no category for assault on the form.

Mr Batten said: "We have got to get the police back on the street... I don't care if they're in cars, motorbikes, helicopters or whatever. We have got to take them back from politically correct targets that they spend their time doing and get them back fighting crime."

He thinks the Metropolitan Police should outsource specialist units like the royal and diplomatic protection squads and concentrate instead on street crime.

And he says Met chief Sir Ian Blair is too politicised and believes in future the Metropolitan Police commissioner should be elected, so they always have one eye on Londoners' priorities.

In the 2004 mayoral elections, UKIP candidate Frank Maloney came fourth with 6% of first preference votes and the party had two London Assembly members elected.

Mr Batten admits they had a boost as the European elections were held the same day but says since then the party has become better established and he hopes to pick up votes from those disenchanted with the main parties.

"Of course it's going to be tough. Elections are always tough but you always have to go into a fight like this fighting to win and I will be fighting to win.

"I'm not going to do a Muhammad Ali and give you a prediction - but when you look at the other candidates I don't see why I haven't got as good a chance as them."

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