AS the candidate for the UK Independence Party in Torridge and West Devon last Thursday, I congratulate Geoffrey Cox, who increased his vote and continues as the Conservative Party MP for the constituency. I would particularly like to thank all of the 10,371 people who voted for me and put UKIP in second place, taking 18.3% of the votes, an increase of 12.9% since 2010. Throughout the country UKIP came second in 120 constituencies and took nearly four million votes — more than the SNP and the Liberal Democrats combined. This is 9.5% higher than that achieved at the 2010 General Election. Seven new UKIP councillors have been elected onto Torridge District Council and UKIP are now the second biggest group after the Conservatives. The Conservative government has promised the country a referendum in 2017 on our continuing membership of the European Union. Since UKIP took the most seats at the Euro-elections in 2014, I look forward to the majority of voters demonstrating that the UK wishes to TRADE with Europe, but take back our independence. Derek Sargent 11 Stanwell Drive Westward Ho!