Ukip’s Charedi in Manchester mayor bid

UKIP’S MOST recognisable Jewish figure will attempt to secure the party’s candidacy for next year’s Manchester mayoral election.

ShneurOdzesaidhehad“avision”for the city and would focus on issues that “affect people’s everyday lives”.

The 35-year-old Lubavitcher, who stood as a Ukip candidate in the European elections in 2014, hoped the party could attract Jewish voters in the city.

He said: “It was very reassuring to see in the Jewish areas there was a disproportionate vote for Brexit.” Support of the Leave campaign had been particularly strong in the strictly Orthodoxneighbourhood of Broughton Park, he claimed.

Ukip stood for “aspiration and individual liberties — all these things that Jews have a lot of commonality with,” he said.

Ukip is currently selecting a new leader, but Mr Odze is remaining neutral on the issue. “I’m involved with Friends of Israel in Ukip and therefore I didn’t think it would be fair if it was perceived that the group was backing a particular candidate over another,” he said.

Britain’s highest profile strictly Orthodox politician said he had policies to suit people across Manchester. They include setting up weekly bin collections, assistance for parents trying to get their child into schools, and health care reforms.

A hustings event is expected to take place on September 11, with no date yet set to select Ukip’s candidate. Shneur Odze