UKIP's colourful and charismatic leader, Nigel Farage, drew the television cameras to Monmouth last week when he turned up to support David Rowlands, UKIP's list candidate for south east Wales.

Although UKIP is pledged to abolish Wales' 60 AMs, Mr Farage said his party was the "voice of opposition in Wales".

UKIP is not putting up any candidates in any of 40 constituencies in Wales, but is appealing for people's second votes to elect a regional AM.

Speaking exclusively to the Beacon, he said: "Whether you look at politics in Monmouth or anywhere else, what we've seen is a development of a professional career political class.

"They may wear different coloured rosettes but essentially they are one and the same as anyone else.

"They are in it for themselves and in it for their careers.

"We will provide a voice of opposition and get people actually debating these issues.

"The vast majority of people don't want wind farms, don't want to have to pay for these things and there is nobody in the Assembly standing up and saying it."