DAVID CAMPBELL BANNERMANAge: 46Family: Unmarried, no childrenCareer: Public relationsWeb site: www.dcb2win.orgFORMERLY influential in the Conservative Party - special adviser to former Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Patrick Mayhew, former chairman of the Bow Group, stood for Parliament twice, served as a Tory councillor - if name sounds familiar it's because he is a distant relative of former Liberal prime minister Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman.

By Graham Dines

DAVID CAMPBELL BANNERMAN

Age: 46

Family: Unmarried, no children

Career: Public relations

Web site: www.dcb2win.org

FORMERLY influential in the Conservative Party - special adviser to former Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Patrick Mayhew, former chairman of the Bow Group, stood for Parliament twice, served as a Tory councillor - if name sounds familiar it's because he is a distant relative of former Liberal prime minister Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman.

A PR guru, was spokesman for the Association of Train Operating Companies after privatisation

Joined UKIP in 2002 and contested Cornwall North at the 2005 General Election, finishing fourth with 5.5% of the vote.

UKIP's chairman. Advocates freedom from government interference and keen to broaden the party's appeal to become a “serious, larger, UK-wide political party which is professional, credible, broadly based and effective at every level of politics.”

NIGEL FARAGE

Age: 42

Family: Married, four children

Career: Commodity broker; MEP for South-East since 1999

Web site: www.votenigel.org

PERSONABLE, charming and a remarkable media and television performer, when it comes to Europe he is acerbic, hostile, and determined at all costs for Britain to leave the EU. Has clashed with Tony Blair in Brussels and parked an armoured personnel carrier outside the Tories' spring conference venue as a warning to Conservatives that UKIP would not wither and die just because the Tories had managed to find a charismatic new leader.

Made a fortune in London's commodities market and is responsible for attracting big financial backers to the UKIP cause.

Helped form UKIP in 1993. Reputation as carpet bagger. Contested Eastleigh in 1994 by-election. General Election candidate in Salisbury 1997, Bexhill & Battle (2001), Thanet South 2005. Fought Bromley & Chislehurst by-election last June in a high volume campaign, but won only 8% of the vote after UKIP spent £70,000.

Ditched the Tories after the Maastrict Treaty but is warning his party members: “UKIP is a national political party, and it must begin to act like one.” Keen to take on the Tories on education and immigration. Believes the main parties at Westminster operate as a “cosy, liberal consensus.”

DAVID NOAKES

Age: 53

Family: Married, two children

Career: Computer consultant

Web site: www.vote-david.com

LARGELY unknown to most members of the party. Operates the EUtruth web site.

Stood as UKIP candidate in Truro & St Austell at 2005 General Election, gaining 5.3% of the vote.

Among his proposals to boost the party's organisation and publicity is the formation of a permanent national campaign team and a shadow cabinet.

Has a stark message for British voters: “A vote for the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, or Labour is a vote for the EU police state.” Intends to “broadcast the terrible truth about the EU police state.”

RICHARD SUCHORZEWSKI

AGE: 42

Family: Divorced, no children

Career: Retail and political lobbying

Web site: www.richard4leader.co.uk

RECENT convert from the Tories UKIP's leader in Wales. Contested Vale of Glamorgan at 2005 General Election, losing deposit with just 1.8% of the vote.

Believes UKIP is a single issue ghetto which needs to become a more credible, modern party with broad appeal.

Acutely aware that the party is seen as a group of middle aged and elderly activists, has pledged to improve UKIP's image with the under 40s and set up a youth wing.