Nigel Farage hits back at 'slur', claiming it will boost support for Ukip

A vote for Ukip is a 'suicide note' for Eurosceptics who want Britain to leave the European Union, Iain Duncan Smith has warned.

The Tory Work and Pensions Secretary said only the Conservatives can deliver a referendum on the EU.

He claimed support for Ukip would only help put Labour in power, with Ed Miliband refusing to give the British people a say on severing ties with Brussels.

Tory Iain Duncan Smith claimed support for Ukip would only help put Labour in power, with Ed Miliband refusing to give the British people a say on severing ties with Brussels

Conservative leader David Cameron has promised that if he is returned to Downing Street he will renegotiate Britain's membership of the EU before holding an in-out referendum before the end of 2017.

He will demand curbs on benefits for migrants, tighter rules on deporting foreign criminals and limiting the movement of workers from poor countries who join the EU.

Senior Tories have warned people who want to leave the EU are mistaken in thinking their wish will be fulfilled by voting for Ukip.

This is a risk that is no longer a protest, but it's like a suicide note Iain Duncan Smith

Instead, they risk robbing the Tories of enough MPs to form a government, making a referendum impossible.

Mr Duncan Smith told Eurosceptics thinking of backing Ukip that the move would backfire.

'I would simply appeal to them and say, honestly this is a risk that is no longer a protest, but it's like a suicide note,' he told the Daily Telegraph.

'The last thing I always say to Ukip people on the doorstep is that for 24 years I have campaigned for a referendum on the European Union.

'And the British people have wanted one. And they should stop and think because if they do not vote for the Conservatives, then basically they will have taken away that referendum from the British people for which they will not be forgiven. And I certainly won't forgive them.'

David Cameron has stepped up his plea to Ukip supporters to back the Tories, but Nigel Farage said the latest Tory attacks were a 'slur'

UKIP COUNCILLOR AND FORMER CANDIDATE DEFECTS TO TORIES A Ukip councillor and former parliamentary candidate has defected back to the Conservatives after admitting a 'grave error' in moving to the Eurosceptic party. Elliot Nichols is a Ukip councillor in South West Surrey and until Christmas was the party's parliamentary candidate in the seat, which is held by Conservative Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt. Mr Nichols represents the Farnham Firgrove ward on Waverley Borough Council. He was elected as a Conservative and has now officially become an 'independent Conservative' on the council, having completed paperwork to rejoin the Tories today. The Ukip candidate on the ballot paper on Thursday is Mark Webber. Advertisement

Ukip leader Nigel Farage rejected the claims which he said would boost support for his party.

Writing on Twitter, he said: 'For IDS to accuse UKIP voters of writing 'suicide notes' for a country they believe in is another Tory slur that'll drive more people to us.'

He later told reporters: 'Who the hell does he think he is?

'Does he think these people are his God given right to be Conservatives?

'A segment has left Conservatives and joined Ukip, they make up a significant but majority share of our support and they are not going back to Mr Duncan Smith because actually they failed very badly.

'These people are completely insincere, they will say anything to get your vote and of course it's an utter nonsense to say this tired line that a vote for Ukip is a vote for Labour. In Heywood & Middleton last year the Conservatives split the Ukip vote, otherwise we would have beaten Labour.'

Mr Cameron has also stepped up attempts to woo people tempted to back Ukip.

Campaigning in the West Country today, the Prime Minister will say: 'So I say to voters in Lib Dem seats, the only way to avoid Miliband-SNP and economic chaos is to vote Conservative this time. And I say to UKIP voters, the only way to avoid Milliband and the SNP is to vote Conservative this time.

'Nigel Farage is the back door to a Labour Government. And I say to previous Conservative voters, who may be thinking twice about turning out, turn out because if the nation is to avoid Miliband-SNP and economic chaos you must vote.'

Ukip took out a huge double-page spread in the Daily Telegraph as it launched its final pitch to voters ahead of polling day.

In an open letter Mr Farage, warned voters against support for either David Cameron or Ed Miliband.

He said: 'In just two days' time you'll have the opportunity to vote on the make up of the House of Commons. I use that wording intentionally, because I think most people have by now accepted that neither the Conservatives nor Labour are going to have a majority in Parliament.

'Despite what Mr Cameron and Mr Miliband would have you think, this actually presents you with an opportunity to vote for change rather than the threat of one or the other.

'It presents you with the chance to put some MPs in the Commons not just because you want their party to form a majority but because you actually believe they'll stand for something in there rather than just be at the behest of party whips.'