NOMINATIONS for all candidates in the election closed last night, with one man registering in eight different constituencies. It is expected that this year will be a record year for independent candidates and alternative and single-issue parties.

John Whittaker, an MEP for the UK Independence Party, has registered as the UKIP candidate in eight seats across the North West.

This is legal under Electoral Commission rules but, if elected, he would have to choose a seat to represent. Dr Whittaker said that he was trying to prove a point about the need for reform of the electoral system, as well as bumping up the number of seats in which people can vote for the party.

“It’s one way of flagging up the concerns we have about the shortcomings of the electoral system,” Dr Whittaker said.

The total number of seats being contested nationally by the UKIP stands at around 480, excluding Dr Whittaker’s extra ones.

Judith Kilshaw, the woman at the centre of an international baby adoption row, will fight the North Wales seat of Alyn and Deeside.

Martin Bell and Richard Taylor, two MPs who shook the Westminster party system as independents, have given their backing to a new group, called the Independent Network intended to support such challenges to the coming general election. It is backing candidates such as Reg Keys, father of a military policeman killed in Iraq, who is planning to stand against Tony Blair.

The full list of candidates will appear in The Times Online.

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