WE meet the UKIP candidate for the Chippenham constituency.

CHILDHOOD ambitions to become an engine driver, a biochemist and a pilot could not be further away from the twists and turns of politics, but UKIP’s Julia Reid believes it was these aspirations that have fully prepared her to stand for MP for Chippenham.

As a tomboy growing up, Mrs Reid took an interest in trains and planes and believes she was born 20 years too late, as her plans to become an engine driver left the station before she had even arrived at the platform.

At 28, Mrs Reid survived a life-threatening illness which caused her to have a whole new outlook on life and in 1981 she decided to complete her education.

She said: “I suddenly realised that I had spent all these years not doing anything I wanted to do, particularly in my adult life.”

She attended the John Bentley School in Calne, as a mature student studying physics, chemistry and maths, later achieving a PhD in Pharmacology and made life-long friends with her fellow students.

After an extensive career as a research biochemist, Mrs Reid was able to develop skills and characteristics which she believes has positioned her well for a role in politics.

She said: “Biochemistry takes a lot of hard work and time to get a result and you have to be pretty determined and able to cope with disappointments, which stood me in a good position to be in UKIP for 22 years. As a party we have had our highs and lows.”

After joining within the first three months of its existence in 1993, Mrs Reid is now considered to be one of its founding members. and she has since dedicated her political career to the party, often dismaying prejudices against it.

She said: “We have a lot of things in Britain to be proud of. People say that we are always seen to be on about Europe but it affects so many issues.

“There is some sort of smear campaign going on against UKIP at the moment and that is because they have seen what has gone on over the internet and it is really sad.”

Born in London, her father’s family came from Melksham and it was this connection which pulled Mrs Reid to champion the county in politics. In May 2014 she was elected as a UKIP MEP for the South West counties and Gibraltar.

Balancing her work life between Calne and Brussels, Mrs Reid still considers herself to be on top of local issues which matter to her constituents, including the recent debate on The Range.

She said: “I think Chippenham is a lovely town and it has a great community. I think most people were against The Range plans but one of UKIP’s policies is that if five per cent of the local electorate are against a development they could, if they gained sufficient signatures on a petition, have a local referendum.”

Mrs Reid said she is nervous but looking forward to election day. and added: “Hoping to get elected is what keeps me going.”

FACT FILE

Age: 62

Address: Calne

Occupation: Research biochemist and MEP

Marital status: Married

Children: One

The Chippenham candidates are:

Conservative: Michelle Donelan

Liberal Democrat: Duncan Hames

Green: Tina Johnston

Labour: Andy Newman

UKIP: Julia Reid