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Ofcom: Ukip a 'major party' for General Election 2015

Communications regulator Ofcom has confirmed that Ukip is a “major party” in England and Wales for the General Election 2015 on May 7 and the English local and mayoral elections.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage. Credit: PA

The “major parties” are defined as:

  • In England the major parties are Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats and UKIP
  • In Wales they are Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru, UKIP
  • In Scotland they are Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party
  • In Northern Ireland, the major parties are Democratic Unionist, Sinn Fein, SDLP, the Alliance Party and Ulster Unionist

It means that in any constituency report, which can consider the redrawing of boundaries, Ukip’s candidate must also be invited to participate alongside other major parties. It also means that Ukip is entitled to a minimum of two party election broadcasts in England and Wales.