GRIMSBY can make history by electing Ukip's first MP.
That's the view of Victoria Ayling, who was unveiled last night as the party's preferred parliamentary candidate for Great Grimsby - although this is yet to be approved by the national executive.
The 55-year-old says the people of Grimsby "showed guts" by supporting Ukip candidates in the local and European elections last month, and must continue to demonstrate their "tremendous support" in the 2015 general election.
Victoria, who was revealed as the candidate at The Empire pub, in Runswick Road, said: "Should they trust me to be their MP, I will work my hardest and give my all. The people of Great Grimsby will have somebody completely devoted to fighting for their interests.
"The three traditional parties ignored us; then they smeared us; and now they are calling us a flash-in-the-pan, but if Ukip can secure an MP and break through, then it will have a domino effect and Great Grimsby could be the constituency to start it rolling."
Victoria, who is a councillor for East Lindsey District Council and Lincolnshire County Council, reiterated that Ukip leader Nigel Farage has pledged to "throw the kitchen sink" at Great Grimsby to help her win the seat.
It is not the first time Victoria will have stood for election in the constituency, after losing out to Labour's Austin Mitchell – who is standing down before the next election – by 700 votes in 2010 when she stood for the Conservatives.
However, she says she now regrets her previous allegiance.
"I became disgusted and disillusioned by the party," she said.
Victoria added that the area can "massively benefit" if Ukip achieves its key policy of leaving the European Union.
She added: "If we leave the European Union, then we will have an extra £54-million a day to invest into this country.
"The EU was the final nail in the coffin of Grimsby's fishing industry, and by leaving it, we can build on our tradition in fishing, manufacturing and food processing and use the natural deep port to attract investment."
Controlling immigration is another of the party's key policies – and one which landed Victoria in hot water when a video emerged of her saying in 2008 that she thought all immigrants should be sent home. She added: "Immigration is not a racist issue, it's about sheer numbers. This country cannot cope. It doesn't matter about country or origin, it is about uncontrolled immigration, which is putting a huge strain on our infrastructure and pushing our schools and hospitals to breaking point."
