UKIP has pledged to hold Bradford Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner to account if the party wins seats in Bradford in the June 8 General Election.

It also wants to attract a major employer to the city to boost the economy.

The three candidates standing in Bradford South, East and West set off on their campaign trail on Saturday from the Ancient Forester Pub in Wibsey.

Former Bradford-based police officer Stephen Place, 56 - who worked in Toller Lane, the city centre, in CID and then with the mounted police until retirement in 1996 - is standing in Bradford South.

He is a Bradford City season ticket holder and was one of the police on duty when the fire hit Valley Parade in 1985.

“My pledge to the people of Bradford South is to do something about this car crash Labour Council. I want to know their spending plans and long term plans regarding cuts.

“I want to hold the Council and Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson to account.

“Anti-social behaviour and car crimes are rife through the city and serious crimes are up, while the Council is making plans to switch off street lights to save money.

“We also want to attract a major employer to the city.

“We want to ensure there is a hard Brexit but also reassure Europeans that are already here that we do not want to kick them out. We also warn that a Conservative vote means another five years of austerity.”

Bradford East candidate Jonathan Barras, a 28-year-old from Ravenscliffe and a governor of Holybrook Primary School, Eccleshill, says his priority is looking after young people.

“They are the future of the city and at the moment there is little for them to do, especially around my ward. I want them to have a voice and to feel they will be listened to. I am pro-Brexit and anti-austerity and want to fight to help our front-line services such as the NHS and police.”

Standing for Bradford West, candidate Derrick Hodgson, 60, also laments the loss of major industry in Bradford, such as the woollen trade, and hopes to attract major business back.

“I want to see a major employer back in Bradford to bring cash in and boost the city,” he said.

“I also want those people in Bradford West - 49.1 per cent - who voted to leave the EU see their wishes fully met.

“I feel the Labour Party has forgotten Bradford.”