'Open the borders' - UKIP's 'waving man' starts own party
The 'waving man' who stood for UKIP and greeted passing traffic has set up his own political party – calling on Britain to throw open its borders.
Harjinder Singh stood as a UKIP's parliamentary candidate for Perry Barr, and became popular with motorists as he stood waving at them at the Scott Arms junction in Great Barr for 13 hours a day.
However, the 38-year-old who grew up in Wolverhampton says he disagrees with the party's stance on controlling immigration. He has now founded the Open Borders party and has a 'handful' of members.
Financial adviser Mr Singh, of Handsworth Wood, said it made more economic sense for the country to let people in and for the Border Force to concentrate on 'keeping out criminals'. He said: "I haven't fallen out with UKIP, but I left the party after the General Election.
"I stood for them because I agreed with leaving the European Union. And I still do, especially after seeing what's happened in Greece. But I do not agree with the Australian-style 'points system' on immigration.
"I think if a business wants to employ someone, they should be able to do so wherever they are from. And if it gives young people in this country more of an incentive to stay on at school and get qualifications, then so much the better.
"This country benefits from immigration. We should not let criminals in. But if we had a more open border policy it would mean the Border Force could concentrate on keeping criminals out."
He said he would also be in favour of immigrants paying an entry fee that could be put towards a 'safety net' fund to prevent any who fall on hard times relying on benefits.
