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The leader of Ukip has declared he is ready for a “punch-up” with Carwyn Jones ahead of tonight’s EU referendum debate, but added it's not needed stating: "This is the most fundamental political question we're going to face in our lifetime".

Nigel Farage arrived on the steps of the National Assembly for Wales on Monday before the Institute of Welsh Affairs debate at the Welsh Millennium Centre.

At a press call Mr Farage defended himself from attacks from the First Minister Carwyn Jones that Ukip is controlled from London , and said it was “remarkable” to say Welsh farming would end if Wales pulled out of the EU.

“If he wants to have a punch-up then fine,” Mr Farage said.

“But you know what, we don’t need to. This is the most fundamental political question we’re going to face in our lifetime.”

Mr Farage said that, judging from what the Prime Minister said on Sunday, the EU referendum looks like it will take place in June or July.

“I want to say a huge thank you to Carwyn Jones for at least kicking off the first proper national debate anywhere in the UK.”

More: How can I watch the Carwyn Jones v Nigel Farage debate and when does it start?

(Image: Rob Browne)

But he said claims by the Welsh Labour leader that farming could end if we pulled out of the EU was a “complete non-starter”.

“It’s remarkable that somebody in a senior political position like him can say something like that,” he said.

“Was farming invented just 40 years ago in Wales? It’s been happening for thousands of years.

“From World War II up until the time we joined the common market we looked after agriculture in this country, as we would continue to do.”

More: Nigel Farage v Carwyn Jones - Seven key things you need to know ahead of tonight's debate

(Image: Rob Browne)

He said Mr Jones’ charge that Ukip isn’t particularly Welsh, and is controlled from London, was “laughable”.

He insisted that the Ukip National Executive Committee, which is deciding on selections for the regional lists, would include “Welsh representatives”.

“There is a slightly nationalistic tone to what he is saying,” said Mr Farage.

“One of our proposed [candidates] was born in Bangladesh? Should that exclude him as well? This argument doesn’t wash.”

During his interviews with journalists Mr Farage made it clear that he himself was not on the list of candidates interested in the Assembly, saying he wasn’t standing.

(Image: Rob Browne)

Mr Farage said the proposed ban on e-cigarettes in some public places in Wales was “absolutely mad”. He said he didn’t think it was a gateway to smoking - “it is the first thing that has come along that genuinely stops people smoking. Governments that are sensible should be encouraging it.”

Ukip were tight-lipped about their Assembly prospects, despite holding the photo call on the Senedd steps, and journalists were told that questions about who might be running in the regional lists would be turned down.

But Mr Farage, speaking about the party’s prospects for May, said: “We are going to obviously break through at this Assembly. To what scale depends on lots of factors.”