UKIP the ‘only party of hope’

THE shock announcement of UKIP candidate Warren Bates’ victory in Failsworth West was greeted by a mixture of cheers and boos.

Councillor Bates received 1,120 votes, ousting one of Labour’s longest-standing councillors, John Battye, second with 988 votes. The former mayor and council leader had represented Failsworth for 24 years.

Retired public sector worker Councillor Bates said it felt “wonderful” to win. He said his priorities were to abolish the police and crime commissioners and to defend pensioners’ bus passes and winter fuel allowance.

He said: “Failsworth comes first and foremost. I will not let the people down. I will get this town back up and moving.”

When asked about the perception of UKIP being a racist party, he replied: “I wouldn’t be in UKIP if it were a racist party. UKIP is the only party of hope.”

In Saddleworth West and Lees, a Liberal-Democrat seat, UKIP candidate Peter Klonowski came in first place with 917 votes.

The party came in second place in most of the wards, fulfilling its promise to make waves.

There was a recount in Chadderton South, with Labour’s Joy Wrigglesworth narrowly beating UKIP by 12 votes, thereby retaining her seat. Joe Fitzpatrick, who was standing for election in St James, said he will challenge Labour’s Angela Cosgrove, who won a seat in the ward.

He added: “We have done fantastically well. We’ve got a good foundation now.”