Ukip has more men called Dave or Steve than it has women

Ukip may be favourites to add a second MP to its ranks with victory in the Rochester and Strood by-election, but its record on gender equality is less favourable.

New figures reveal there are more men called David (15) or Steven (14) standing for the party in next year's election than there are women (26).

Of the 275 candidates, there are also 11 Peters, nine Johns or Jonathans, nine Pauls, and even five Nigels - Farage included.

Ukip is, however, fielding women in some of its top target seats, including Victoria Ayling in Labour-held Greater Grimsby and Patricia Culligan in Eastleigh.

But in the party's other top 10 target seats, the candidate is male.

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