UKIP to stand in every ward at 2015 council elections

The claims come as the party revealed it already has a candidate lined up to contest every ward in May’s council elections – including a magician.

It will be the strongest assault on the town hall to date by the party, which last week doubled its presence in the chamber after Whitby’s Mike Ward joined its ranks.

But local UKIP chiefs say they expect that figure to rise considerably come May.

“I would be very happy if we got six or seven seats, and can expand from there,” said Ken Hordon, chairman of UKIP’s Scarborough branch.

“I think it’s achievable and we will go all out to do that, and I’m very confident that we will get it.

“We are going to be tactical voting, and we are targeting particular wards we can win.”

One of the possible big name scalps eyed up by UKIP is council chief Tom Fox, with the party fielding a “very strong” Filey candidate in his Weaponness ward.

And the party insists it has a chance of dislodging Robert Goodwill at the General Election, although a final decision on the candidate is yet to be made, with a party vote due in the near future.