UKIP: Policies on tax and ID cards

The UK Independence Party has launched its election manifesto, rejecting suggestions it is just a single issue party.

The anti-EU party set out its position and policies on a range of issues, from its opposition to ID cards to a plan for lower taxes.

But there was little question where the party's emphasis lies, with its official election slogan reading: "We want our country back".

The party claims a £30bn "independence dividend" will result from leaving the EU, which can then be spent on a variety of policies from increased pensions to higher NHS investment.

State pensions could be raised by £25 per week, while an extra £30bn of government borrowing would be largely used to cut taxes.

Council taxes would also be reduced under UKIP proposals, while thresholds for inheritance tax increased to £500,000.

Other policies include a preference for a single flat rate of tax, while on health UKIP wants to reduce government targets and allow professionals more scope to exercise their own judgments, free the NHS from "day-to-day" government management, and give consultants more freedom from targets.

UKIP also says it is opposed to wind power, preferring instead to develop nuclear power.

Party leader and MEP Roger Knapman also argued that it was time to get tough on immigration.

"The truth about immigration is this: Labour haven't controlled it. They have been in power for eight years and they haven't controlled it," he said.

"The Tories can't control it - they want to stay in the European Union and the EU will guard our borders so they can't solve the problem.

"And the Liberals won't - they don't see the problem. They don't see any obvious limit to immigration."

The party aims to field around 500 candidates across the country, and will want to build on its impressive result in the 2004 European poll.

At that election UKIP came third, ahead of the Liberal Democrats, electing 12 MEPs.

But two of those MEPs have since left the party, including UKIP's former 'star' Robert Kilroy-Silk, who has formed the Veritas party.

UKIP is targeting a number of high-profile seats, with party chairman Petrina Holdsworth targeting Michael Howard in his Folkestone and Hythe constituency, and South West MEP Graham Booth standing in Tory-held Totnes.