A little time with.. UKIP's Jasna Badzak (A 'Talking Clock' exclusive interview)

So, the constituency of Westminster North made all of the headlines in the mainstream newspapers earlier this week. It even earned it's own little featurette on BBC2's Newsnight.

Ever fearless, The Talking Clock went into the eye of the storm (not that it was very far away) and grabbed UKIP's Westminster North PPC - that's a 'Prospective Parliamentary Candidate' for those of you not familiar - Jasna Badzak, for a quick chat...


Hello Jasna and thank you for agreeing to answer some questions for The Talking Clock.

You've probably never spoken to a clock before, have you?

No, sadly I haven't had that pleasure yet.

So, with a name like Jasna Badzak, we're guessing you have an interesting background?

You have guessed it right. I am foreign born. However, I am also a rare breed of a genuine refugee who arrived in this country 17 years ago to save my life. Today, I am a very proud British citizen who adores this country. This is the main reason for my political involvement. I am not seeking political glory but trying to give back as much as I can to my wonderful new home.

How do you feel about characterisations of UKIP as a party representing xenophobic, white, middle aged Little Englanders?

My grandfather fought the Nazis. My mother, father, brother and uncle were all incarcerated in the concentration camps. Yet I am PPC for UKIP. If UKIP were anything like this 'characterisation', I would not be here but would be fighting it. These blatant lies are just pathetic attempts by the 3 main parties to discredit the only true opposition in today's Britain - the only party that truly represents and fights for the best interest of all our citizens.

You're a PPC for UKIP in Westminster North. The constituency has been in the newspaper headlines this week. Do you have strong links with the constituency and did you realise you would be standing in a high profile constituency?

I have lived in Westminster North for 15 years. My son was born in Paddington. Westminster North is my home. I am sad to see all the petty squabbles, spin and big egos. For far too long, our present, incompetent Government has neglected this constituency. We have real problems and a lot of work needs to be done. I am a person who cherishes hard work and my top priority is to help my constituents. That is the sole reason why I would be honoured to be able to represent this constituency.

You made a few headlines yourself when the Harrow Road branch of the Conservatives left enmasse and joined UKIP; hence you being where you are today. What was it that UKIP were offering that attracted you to the party and to turn your back on the Conservatives?

UKIP is a party of freethinking individuals. It is also a party of the future, determined to not only preserve wonderful British values but also to build a better future for our children. UKIP doesn't do spin and allows its members to concentrate on hard work for our better future.

Westminster North is an incredibly ethnically diverse constituency, home to people living both in poverty and in reasonable wealth. Is it possible for a candidate in such a constituency to deliver a unifying rallying call to the entire electorate?

Yes it is. I was born in wealthy family and now I live in one of the most deprived wards in the constituency. Crime, anti social behaviour, EU, public debt etc affect both the richest and poorest. We are all suffering and I am the only candidate that can relate to both types of electorate and deliver results.

Some people in Westminster North might think that a vote for UKIP is a wasted vote and it will simply help Labour fend off a challenge from the Conservatives. What would you say to them?

Labour has just lost us 13 years of prosperity. The Tories and Lib Dems have also had their shots at power and we are not better off. We simply can't afford the 3 big parties any more. If you do not vote UKIP, nothing will ever change. We are the real opposition - just give us a chance.

Now obviously, UKIP's position on the European Union is well known. What would be your message to constituents about the European Union?

What did the EU do for us (wasting our money is not the answer)? Do we really need a big nanny to tell us how to live our lives or are we adults capable of deciding for ourselves? Do you really want to bail out Greece and Portugal or would you rather that money is spent on a new hospital in your neighbourhood, a better school for your child and care for your elderly parents? The question of the EU is not just an academic discussion but a factor that influences every aspect of our lives.

Some might think UKIP a "one trick pony", only having the European Union as a policy issue. Apart from the European Union, what other issues do you personally feel strongly about?

UKIP has policies on every relevant issue. I want to talk about and deal with rampant crime, anti-social behaviour, rising poverty, economic meltdown, ridiculous taxes, Government wastefulness, the appalling education our children receive, the sickening treatment of our elderly, neglect of our soldiers. These are the issues I am passionate about and I would be fighting hard to address them.

Now, 'The Talking Clock' has a strong pro-civil liberties stance. Can you reassure us that you share our values of freedom and liberty from an overbearing and intrusive state?

Imagine a huge Government database where all your relatives and ancestors details are stored. They use it to determine your ethnicity and when they do, they try to kill you because you do not fit into their plan to create an 'ethnically clean' state. I lived through that and experienced it on my skin. That is the price you pay when you give up a fight to preserve civil liberties. The State should always be our servant and not our master.

What one question do you wish we'd asked you that we haven't asked so far?

I think you have covered a lot but it would be nice to talk about how we can all, not just PPCs, improve our neighbourhoods and create a better future for our kids.

And lastly, on a more light hearted note. Imagine you're stuck in a lift for two hours with both Lord Pearson and Nigel Farage. How do you think you would pass the time?

We would be crunching the numbers to work out how much money each British family would receive when we finally leave the undemocratic EU super-state.

Many thanks for your time, Jasna, and good luck at the election!

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Now normally, The Talking Clock simply gives opinions on stories making the mainstream newspapers. There's possibly some loopy rule that we have to offer other candidates the same opportunity to natter to us.

We'd gladly ask any Conservative candidate about the European Union, any Labour candidate about their track record on civil liberties, and so on... If any other candidate in the constituency wants to take us up on that offer, drop us a line in the comments box below.

Meanwhile, we're hoping to introduce you to more candidates from elsewhere very soon - provided they're happy to chat to The Talking Clock, that is!