Long standing UKIP member, Mike Smith, has been adopted as UKIP's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate.

Mike has been Chairman of the Gloucester City Constituency since its inception and is currently also Chairman of the County Branch and its representative on the South West Counties Committee.

Mike Smith was born in the centre of Gloucester, 66 years ago. "Gloucester is my home and I am very proud of our great city. I would not be interested in representing anywhere else, just to get into Parliament." He was educated at Widden and Finlay Road Primary and Sir Thomas Rich’s Grammar Schools. "Grammar Schools are important for pupils from working class backgrounds, like mine, to achieve their academic potential. I am pleased that it is UKIP’s policy that every town should have at least one. However, it is a shame that some people denigrate other schools and make their pupils feel second class. We need good schools of various types to suit individual pupils, whatever their type of ability."

On leaving school, Mike worked in East Africa, Turkey and Ascension Island. "I enjoyed working abroad and seeing other cultures at first hand (but I always had a picture of the Cathedral on my wall). It made me appreciate what we had at home even more.

An English patriot, Mike founded the Gloucestershire Branch of the Royal Society of St. George. It fills the Cathedral every St. George’s Day and was graced by Royalty when HRH The Duke of Gloucester attended last year. "England is unfairly treated under this Government’s devolution policies but the last thing we need is yet more government. More MPs claiming more expenses in more buildings with more bureaucrats? No thank you! UKIP’s answer to the West Lothian question is much more practical and economic."

Although just too young to have done National Service, Mike is an ardent supporter of our Armed Forces. His proudest moment was when Colonel James Carne VC attended a St George’s Day Service and his famous Cross was carried in procession. "Sadly, we lost the Glorious Glosters when the Army was re-organised to meet the requirements of the European Army. UKIP is pledged to return to County Regiments."

Mike has always been interested in politics and joined the Young Conservatives at 16. Soon after returning from abroad, he was elected as Conservative Councillor for Barnwood on the new District Council. He served for 13 years until he retired. He was known for putting his constituents before his Party. Mike was one of around 40 delegates who, at a Conservative Party Conference, voted against our entry into the, then, Common Market. He voted to leave it in Harold Wilson’s referendum – the only time the British people have been asked their opinion about our relationship with Europe. "As a democrat, I accepted the verdict but the Common Market changed into the EEC then the European Union. We were never asked our opinion. The Maastricht Treaty was the last straw and I left the Conservative Party. Then joy, as I found the UK Independence Party – I was not alone in my opposition to the EU!"

Although now a pensioner, Mike is still working as a Supervisor in market research. He is responsible for organising price collection for the Consumer Prices Index (the National inflation figures). "I would find it difficult to live just on the State pension so I understand pensioners’ concerns but like to think I am still young at heart.."

Contact Mike on Gloucester 302437 or e-mail; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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