Army veterans would be retrained as immigration officers under Ukip policy proposals targeted at voters who “believe in Britain”.

Writing in his party’s manifesto, Nigel Farage claims the country is on the brink of its biggest political upheaval for a century. Although Ukip support has fallen from its high of last summer, it is still averaging around 15 per cent and is optimistic about capturing several parliamentary seats on 7 May.

Its manifesto will place heavy emphasis on policies to curb immigration and to support the armed services. The two issues will come together in a new plan to re-employ 6,000 armed forces veterans as immigration, police and prison officers.

Ukip will also campaign on plans for a five-year moratorium on issuing visas to unskilled workers, the introduction of an Australian-style points based system for skilled migrants and a crackdown on so-called “sham marriages”.

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