Ukip's 'People's Army' descend on Brussels

UK Independence Party's new phalanx of MEPs descended on Brussels today for the first time since their election triumph last month.

UKIP, MEPs, Members of Parliament, EU, European Union, Nigel Farage, Seats, Votes, Election, MEPs, Roger Helmer, Election, British, Britain, England, MEP Roger Helmer pictured with Nigel Farage on the night of the Newark by-election[REUTERS]

The 24-strong group, which came top at the euro elections in the UK, gathered to elect senior MEP Roger Helmer as the leader of their group in the European Parliament.

Mr Helmer, who was re-elected as an East Midlands MEP and came second in the recent Westminster by-election in Newark, said: “I am delighted to be invited to lead the UK’s largest MEP delegation. We will focus on the vital task of restoring independence, freedom and democracy to our country.”

The most important task we can do as UKIP MEPs is to make the case of British independence, to tell people about the benefits of that independence.

MEP Roger Helmer

He told his colleagues: “We will remind those in the Brussels bubble that the British people do not agree with what they are doing. 

“We can ride shotgun on the legislation that goes through the European Parliament and resist it as best we can. 

"The most important task we can do as UKIP MEPs is to make the case of British independence, to tell people about the benefits of that independence.

UKIP, MEPs, Members of Parliament, EU, European Union, Nigel Farage, Seats, Votes, Election, MEPs, Roger Helmer, Election, British, Britain, England, MEP Roger Helmer aims tell those in the 'Brussels Bubble' how he believes Brits feel about the EU [PA]

"And we can do that best by engaging here, understanding what is going on, seeing the damage that is caused by EU hyper-regulation and utilise our position here to promote the drive for freedom and exit from political union at home. 

“As a party, I think we have done that with enormous success of the past years. 

"Twenty years after the formation of UKIP, leaving the EU is now openly and generally discussed as a realistic possibility in the British media and among the general public. 

"A large part of the credit for this vast change goes to this party.”

Nigel Farage will remain the national Ukip leader and is to head the Freedom and Democracy grouping in the European Parliament with Euro-sceptic allies from other countries.

He said: “I wish Roger all the very best in his important task, and I am sure with his experience and abilities he shall do the party and our members proud.

"I shall concentrate my energies as group president in the European Parliament and as leader of UKIP in the UK. I look forward to working with Roger as we work for our freedom from political union.”

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