Unemployed should be banned from driving to ease congestion, says UKIP candidate

UKIP general election candidate Lynton Yates says unemployed people should be banned from driving because there are too many traffic jams. Mr. Yates says “benefits claimants” should use buses instead.

He also believes that cyclists should get off the road and ride on the pavement (US English: sidewalk), but make sure they give priority to pedestrians.

The UKIP candidate, who intends to fight the Charnwood seat in Leicestershire in May’s general election, wrote on the pamphlet “As much as I applaud cycling as a form of exercise and past-time, the already congested roads cannot cope with both bus lanes AND cyclists.”

Mr. Yates’ election flyer also says that prisoners should be sent to jails abroad, because this would be cheaper.

When people first saw the election pamphlet they thought it was either a hoax or some kind of devious anti-UKIP conspiracy. However, UKIP has confirmed it was published by Mr. Yates.

Mum Juice blogger wrote on Facebook “This UKIP flier came through my door, it seems to be suggesting that benefit claimants should not be allowed to drive, thereby solving all our transport problems!” (Image: Mum Juice Facebook page)

The anti-EU and anti-immigration party said in a statement “These are not UKIP policies and they will not form part of the UKIP manifesto.”

A photo of the pamphlet went viral on the Internet after it was posted on Mum Juice’s Faceboook page.

Mr. Yates is currently a Leicestershire county councillor. (Image: Leicester Mercury)

Former Conservative Mr. Yates believes that there would be six million fewer cars on the road if benefits claimants were not allowed to drive.

“Why do they have the privilege to spend the tax payers hard earned money on a car, when those in work are struggling to keep their own car on the road? These people really could catch a bus,” Mr. Yates wrote.

The BBC quoted Shadow health minister Jamie Reed, who said: “It’s beyond a joke now. Not so much a political party but a stag night out of control.”

The Leicester Mercury quoted UKIP spokesman Gawain Towler who said “I think he (Mr. Lynton) is going to have to pulp the rest of those leaflets. We do not think people on the dole should be banned from driving.”