COMMUNIST parliamentary candidate Rob Griffiths hit out yesterday at Ukip’s claims to oppose the European Union in the interests of the British people.

“Ukip refuses to condemn the austerity and privatisation agenda promoted by the EU Commission in Brussels and the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, because it supports lower taxes and higher profits for the rich and big business,” said Mr Griffiths, who is standing in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney.

Speaking at a meeting of party supporters in Merthyr while opening a new campaign headquarters in the town centre, he accused Ukip of “crude anti-foreigner British nationalism.”

“Its leader Nigel Farage wants to protect his ex-business chums in the City of London from even the mildest EU regulation, while also handing them the NHS on a privatised plate,” declared Mr Griffiths, who is the Communist Party’s general secretary.

Answering a question on the influx of low-wage labour from eastern Europe, he said that workers should unite against exploitative employers and demand full trade union pay and conditions for all.

Mr Griffiths also reaffirmed continuing Communist Party support for a referendum on EU membership and “an exit from the left.”