Mini Election: Tim Aker on Ukip’s election strategy and winning in Thurrock

Tim Aker is one of Ukip’s most recognisable figures. At just 29, he is already an MEP for the East of England, a local councillor in Aveley and, until recently, head of the party’s policy unit. He left the latter role earlier this year to focus on his battle to become the MP for Thurrock.

I chatted with Aker in Canvey Island, Essex, where Ukip kicked off its general election campaign last week. He revealed the thinking behind the party’s ‘Believe in Britain’ campaign slogan, the ‘positive’ message Ukip hopes to put across over the next few months, his chances of beating Labour and the Conservatives in Thurrock and whether he was sacked or pushed out from writing the Ukip manifesto.