UKIP’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Darwen at the General Election was unable to give any specific plans for the town during a question and answer session with town councillors.

He also said that if his party entered into a coalition after the election he would resign immediately.

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Clive Balchin was the latest election hopeful to face Darwen Town Council as they grilled him on his and his party’s policies in a number of areas on Tuesday night.

And when asked what he would do for Darwen if elected, he was unable to give a specific answer.

Coun John East asked Mr Balchin, who defected from the Conservative Party late last year: “What would you want to achieve for Darwen residents?”

Mr Balchin said: “I think Rossendale and Darwen have both got big challenges.

“I quite admire the former Darwen MP David Trippier, who worked very hard networking in London to attract business to the area.

“I can’t give any specific plans on what I would do and what I would not do, but I would work hard on making connections for the area.”

Coun East replied: “My question is about Darwen. What are you going to do about this town?”

Mr Balchin said: “I would be a constituency MP. I am not leader of the country.

“If you want then I can say I would work with the town council to achieve a bright and shiny new town.

“I think you are throwing a question at me that is impossible to answer.”

Having opened the session by telling councillors he was ‘not a clown, swivel-eyed loon, closet racist or fruitcake’, He added: “I don’t froth at the mouth about Europe, or rant about immigration. I am standing for political change.”

During the question and answer session, Mr Balchin said he was in favour of fracking, against sex education for children under 11 and believed the NHS and social care should be combined.

Of his fellow candidates for Rossendale and Darwen on May 7, Mr Balchin said: “I do not think Jake Berry is the best MP.

“I think it is fair to say that Jake Berry and I are not on each other’s Christmas card lists.

“I would go for a pint with Will Straw as I like the boy, but I don’t think he would be a good MP.

“They are both career politicians. I am not a career politician. I am standing for one term and one term only.”