THE United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) is in gear for a strong General Election push in St Albans, which it claims to have a realistic chance of winning.

Its candidate, 69-year-old retired businessman John Stocker, has already spent £12,500 of his own fortune on the campaign since his nomination two months ago and is prepared to splash out as much as electoral law allows.

The cash will be spent on an office in Upper Dagnall Street, leaflets, newspaper advertisements, letters to voters and a touring UKIP van, all trying to exploit local opposition to the European Community.

Mr Stocker, who has lived in the St Albans area for 30 years, told the Review: “I wouldn't be doing this if I did not think I had a real chance of winning.

“UKIP is targeting St Albans where the last election produced almost a three-way split.

“Labour is in disarray here, and Anne Main for the Conservatives has had problems with expenses.

“Sixty to sixty five per cent of people want to leave the EU – all I need to do is tap into that.”

He points out his party came second in June's European Election with 17 per cent of the national vote, 11 points behind the Conservatives.

He said: “UKIP is very likely to win some Westminster seats and we could even hold the balance in a hung parliament.

“If that happens we shall ask Cameron for some sort of referendum on Europe.”

Although he stresses his party is not racist, and is open to everyone with several Asian members, he sees immigration as another issue where he can make headway.

He said: “We need to have some immigration, but it needs to be properly controlled, which at the moment it clearly isn't.”

On local issues he argues the district council should refuse to allow developments with insufficient parking spaces, adding congestion to the streets, and is strongly opposed to any plans for a major city centre supermarket.

On the railfreight project, however, he describes himself as “middle of the road”.

He said: “Everyone agrees we need to get freight off the roads and onto trains.

“If the railfreight depot could have direct access onto the M25, and if we could be sure there was space for the good trains without obstructing commuter trains, maybe I would be in favour.”

Mr Stocker hopes his standing in St Albans, where he has been involved for many years with fund- raising for the Grove House hospice, and with the annual organ festival, will provide a further electoral boost.

His experience includes the Royal Navy, oil rigs and the cable laying business which he sold two years ago.

Mr Stocker, awarded the MBE for charity and community work, lives with his wife near Nomansland common.

He has two daughters, one living in St Albans and one in Devon, and three racehorses stabled at Newmarket.