UKIP unveils Fylde candidate

Paul White moved to the area from the West Midlands in 2014 when he took over a small rundown hotel and revamped it.

He said: “In UKIP we believe that the prize of total or partial energy independence, local industry and jobs, reduced imports, and lower energy costs, is so vast, we cannot afford to ignore it.

“However we are also the party of direct democracy and it is my view that this issue can be put to bed with a referendum on fracking in Fylde. So let’s have an open and honest debate, put it to the people, gain their definitive response and I pledge to respect the outcome.”

The other prospective candidates so far are Mark Menzies (Conservative), Bob Dennett (Green), Jed Sullivan (Labour), Fred van Mierlo (Lib Dem) and Mike Hill (Independent).