UKIP’s newly announced parliamentary candidate for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, Keith Fraser, has thrown down the gauntlet in the race to take the seat in the upcoming general election.
Speaking exclusively to the Post, Keith Fraser revealed that Hackney was ready for a change from incumbent Labour MP Diane Abbott, who has held the seat for 27 years.
He said: “I know everyone says ‘Better the devil you know’, but I say why have the devil, when you can have an angel that you don’t know, but who will stand up for the people of Hackney.”
“It’s going to be a difficult race because some of the community are loyal to her, particularly the large percentage of black people in the borough, but Parliament deserves better and so does Hackney.”
Mr Fraser has been publicly optimistic about UKIP’s chances in the upcoming general election. He recently challenged Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, betting him six pints that UKIP would take more seats that the Liberal Democrats on 7 May.
He said: “I think this election is going to be fascinating. UKIP are ahead in the polls, but whilst polls don’t tell you everything, it looks like we will edge the Lib Dems.”
“If I lose the bet, I am more than happy to buy Nick Clegg his pint”, he added.
Clarifying the UKIP’s often misunderstood policies on immigration, Mr Fraser asserted:
“UKIP are not racists. Immigration is not an issue of race or religion, it’s all about economics. We should not be shy about talking about controlled immigration, and if people in this country don’t like the freedoms this country gives them, then they know where the door is.”
When questioned of some of the key issues within his prospective constituency, Mr Fraser, whose father was born in Hackney, pointed to his desire to tackle the rise in anti-semitism which he blames on ignorance surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Mr Fraser, who is also Jewish himself said: “There is a lot of ignorance regarding the conflict abroad, and people just tend to blame Israel, hence the increase in anti-semitic sentiments in Hackney.”
The UKIP candidate, who runs KFMG, a firm of charted surveyors, told the Hackney Post that he is also dedicated to the protection of small business interests, whilst also promoting growth and regeneration in the area.
He said: “Hackney is an upcoming and trendy area, and we need to look to build upon that growth. You can’t stop evolution and progress, but UKIP will make sure the ‘have nots’ are cared for too.
“We want to see a revamp of business rates which would make it easier for small businesses and an overall cutting of the red tape.”
