Ukip to stand for Scottish list seats only

Nigel Farage's Ukip will not be contesting any Holyrood constituencies in May's election, the anti-EU party announced ahead of today's deadline to stand as a candidate.

Picture: TSPL

Ukip confirmed it would not contest any Scottish Parliament constituencies and would instead field 26 candidates for the list section of the contest in bid to repeat its success in the 2014 European elections, when David Coburn was elected as an MEP for Scotland.

Mr Farage said he was “certain that this team, led by David Coburn will break into Holyrood” with the MEP seeking election in the Highlands and Islands region.

Mr Coburn said the party had decided not to contest any constituencies in a bid to “concentrate” its support through the lists after it polled 10.4% of the vote at the 2014 European Parliament elections.

Mr Farage added: “I am delighted with the strength, breadth and depth of our list for the Holyrood elections.

“I am certain that this team, led by David Coburn will break into Holyrood and provide a voice of serious opposition to the stale political consensus in Edinburgh.

“An over-powerful executive needs real opposition, and Ukip in Scotland will provide that.”