Ukip leader is open to coalition with Tories

UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage used a visit to the Black Country to raise the possibility of forming a coalition with the Conservatives after the next election.

Recent opinion polls have seen Ukip in third place, ahead of the Liberal Democrats, although they are now back in fourth place. Mr Farage said he would join forces with the Tories, in exchange for a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union. He addressed a meeting of around 200 people in Sedgley at the Dormston Sports and Arts Centre last night.

It came just hours after Prime Minister David Cameron and his deputy Nick Clegg renewed their pledge to work as a coalition government during a visit to Smethwick.