Conservative presidential candidate takes campaign to UK

''If there are no changes in Poland in many spheres, then the younger generation will leave, and the next will be born abroad,'' Duda said at a meeting in London with Polish immigrants on Saturday morning.

He noted that while speaking with young Polish families in the UK, he had heard how they missed their homeland, but that they saw no favourable prospects in returning.

The Law and Justice candidate outlined his aims to reform Poland's social security system (ZUS), introducing smaller burdens for budding entrepreneurs.

Likewise, Duda wants to increase social benefits for families, as an incentive towards staying in Poland.

Although large numbers of Poles settled in the UK following World War II, Poland's accession to the the EU in 2004 prompted an unprecedented swell in numbers.

During the UK's 2011 census, 521,000 Polish-born people were listed, although the actual figure today is believed to be considerably higher.

An opinion poll by Millward Brown published last week indicated that Duda would garner 27 percent of the vote in the presidential election, which is scheduled for 10 May. However, current head of state Bronisław Komorowski still has a significant lead, with 46 percent. (nh)

Source: PAP