ANALYSIS: "New Leader, New Policy… New Voters?"

By our Westminster correspondent, Laura Makin-Isherwood

Today, Henry Bolton made his maiden policy announcement, his first since being elected leader of UKIP just under two months ago.

It is the first after what some might call a ‘rocky period’ for the party.

Although, as he told me, he might have liked a little longer to prepare his speech, Mr Bolton delivered the ‘Save our Services’ campaign smoothly and even won a standing ovation.

But what promises can this party deliver?

UKIP’s new defence policy appears to cover three key areas:

• Reversing cuts
• Increasing spending
• Creating a new ‘Veterans Department’

There are pledges of a ‘one stop shop’ for forces veterans that would give priority to those who need assistance in areas like housing and health, all headed up by one man - Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire MEP Mike Hookem.

Sounds good, right? Sure.

But at a time of tightening budgets, is this plan affordable?

And with the UKIP vote share at just 1.8%, is this a policy that can ever be put into place?

Or simply a new leader, looking to the forces for new supporters?