Ukip launches four-point party manifesto for city

UKIP has unveiled a four-point plan which it wants to introduce in Cardiff, as part of its push for the forthcoming council elections.

The party is putting forward 12 candidates in Cardiff for the May 4 poll.

It hopes to build on the successes of its Assembly campaign in 2016 and get their first councillors elected in the capital.

The first point of their four-point plan is campaigning to change the points system for council housing “so that local people get first choice when it comes to houses in their area”.

The party wants a return to “regular waste collections and an end to unrealistic recycling targets, which has contributed to the increasing problem of fly-tipping across the city”.

The third point is for “better transport links, particularly for East Cardiff”.

Ukip says it wants to ensure “adequate provision is made in the new Central Square bus station for coach services, so that passengers are not left out on a limb by having to go to Sophia Gardens”.

The fourth is to scrap the current cabinet system altogether. It says it wants to end “the eye-watering salaries for top city bosses, and returning to the committee system. This would ensure decisions are made transparently, with cash savings going to front line services to keep open leisure centres, community centres and local libraries.”

The wards where candidates are standing are Llanishen, where council leader Phil Bale is defending his seat, and the East Cardiff wards of Rumney, Llanrumney and Trowbridge.

The party’s campaign manager Richard Lewis, who is standing in Trowbridge, said: “After last year’s excellent showing in the National Assembly elections where Ukip took seats for the first time, we are hoping to build on that success and make a difference in City Hall.”

The party’s candidates in the city are Lawrence Gwynn, Crispin John, Vivian Evans and John Hill in Llanishen.

In Llanrumney, Ukip will be fielding Gary Oldfield, Teresa Davies and Bob Lewis as candidates.

John Ireland and Wayne Cashin will be trying to win seats in Rumney.

And in Trowbridge, Richard Lewis, Lawrence Lado and Tom Harrison will be representing the party.