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A wannabe MP and Afghanistan war veteran has defected from UKIP to Labour.

Andrew Tomkinson came third when he stood for Nigel Farage ’s party in Pontypridd, South Wales, in May.

After challenging Shadow Work and Pensions ­Secretary Owen S­mith for the seat he announced he was backing him.

And Mr Tomkinson, who served as a trooper with the airborne reserve in Afghanistan , said fighting for UKIP was a mistake.

He added: “I just sort of fell into UKIP. It seemed new and exciting.

But I want to see a fairer society, not more tax cuts for the rich.”

He will now campaign for Labour ’s Mick Antoniw in next May’s Welsh Assembly elections.

Mr Antoniw said: “Only Labour will stand up against Tory austerity.”