Originally Posted by Telegraph
Winston McKenzie, a boxer-turned-politician, urged the party to reach out to ethnic minority voters.
The Jamaican-born politician said that the party should not consider black and Asian voters off limits. Many would welcome a party such as Ukip that takes a tough stance on law order, he said.
Other keynote speakers included Diane James, the runner-up in Eastleigh, and Slavi Binev, a Bulgarian MEP, who joked: “I have a return ticket to Sofia and, while I am here, I am not claiming benefits.
"I have not brought my family nor my horse and cart.”
The party says it is now attracting well-heeled professionals in their thirties and forties, just the types who could one day stand as MPs, and some of these were in attendance.
Richard Turnell, 34, who works in insurance, joined Ukip earlier this month. He lives in Bournville, in Birmingham, with his wife, Anna, a solicitor, and their three-year-old son.
“David Cameron has been a great let-down,” he said. “At times, it seems he is ignoring anyone outside London. Anna and I both work, but even we still find it hard to cope with the cost of living.
“The Government just doesn’t seem to be helping ordinary people like us.”
Charlie Sammonds, 17, from Putney, west London, was disappointed that he could not join the party until his 18th birthday later this year.
“Ukip is the only party with sensible policies,” he said, as he cast his eye over Ukip memorabilia on sale. “Controlling immigration... If it continues, the NHS will not be able to cope. Housing shortages will get worse.
“Nigel Farage is a very good speaker. He believes in democracy. The EU is very anti-democratic.”
Last week, Victoria Ayling, a former Conservative parliamentary candidate who contested – and nearly won – Great Grimsby at the 2010 election, joined Ukip.
“I have been uncomfortable for some time with the Conservatives’ policies and leadership,” said Mrs Ayling. “The leadership has moved away not just from party’s members, but also ordinary people who work and pay taxes.”
She was unimpressed with Mr Cameron’s deal to cut the EU’s budget, even though it initially helped the Tories in the polls. “Britain’s contributions will still rise,” she said.
“Then there is the debacle over gay marriage. To overturn centuries of tradition and forget the sacrament just for a fad. Nothing against gays, but it’s just inappropriate.
“The Government hasn’t got immigration down and because of our membership of the EU, we are at risk of having 29 million Bulgarians and Romanians coming to settle here.
“There are ways of preventing these migrants getting access to benefits, but I don’t think David Cameron has the political will to do that. Instead, his approach is based on spin and shallow promises.”
