So Nigel Farage from Ukip is speaking at Hove Town Hall on June 3 (Letters, May 24).

It’s a relief, however, that he’s not abusing the hospitality of one of our local pubs after a recent fiasco in Scotland. There, after an ill-judged publicity stunt, he was sent packing by protesters and then slammed the phone down on a radio interviewer who had the temerity to question him on his knowledge of Scottish politics.

Dented pride aside, though, Mr Farage and Ukip must be taken seriously.

They are tapping into real fears and anxieties held by a lot of people. It would be a huge mistake to dismiss anyone who votes for them as misguided or bigoted.

People have a right to cast their vote in any way they choose – that’s democracy.

There does, however, need to be a well-informed and honest debate about the two main issues which Ukip focuses on: Europe and immigration. This is incredibly difficult when most of our written media pumps out opinion as opposed to facts but it is vital our political leaders encourage open and frank discussion in these areas.

Meanwhile, as the spotlight descends on Ukip, we will begin to see it in its true light.

Looking at its manifesto, it seems to be a bizarre mixture of totally contradictory and uncosted promises such as lower taxes but increased spending in many areas.

At the same time, it also supports harsher austerity measures to cut current public spending.

Add to this its opposition to green taxes, the removal of the hunting ban and the ending of the smoking ban in pubs and you have an unholy mish-mash of ill-defined, poorly thought out and, frankly, unbelievable policies.

Hopefully this will become much clearer over the next few months.

Peter Atkinson, Wolseley Road, Portslade