Craig Mackinlay

Craig Mackinlay is a former chartered accountant and tax adviser. He was inspired to enter politics by Alan Sked, founder of the Anti-Federalist League (later UKIP), during a BBC appearance in which he denounced the Maastricht Treaty. He stood unsuccessfully as an independent candidate in Gillingham at the 1992 general election in support of the League, winning only 248 votes. Upon the formation of UKIP, Mackinlay became the party’s treasurer and stood in the 1997 general election for the party. During his time in UKIP, Mackinlay stood for elected office several times, including three times to the European Parliament and in two more general elections. He defected to the Conservatives in 2005, and was elected councillor in Medway in 2007. In 2012, Mackinlay stood as the Conservative candidate for Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, but was unsuccessful. Mackinlay finally joined the Commons in the 2015 general election, winning against UKIP leader Nigel Farage by 2,812 votes. He has remained committed to his anti-EU beliefs, voting against Theresa May’s deals but supporting Boris Johnson’s Brexit policies. In 2019, Mackinlay increased his majority to above 10,000 — the largest South Thanet winning margin since 1992.