NIGEL Farage's Ukip is the most trusted party to argue England's case for reform on how it is governed, according to Scottish researchers.

Experts at Edinburgh University conducted a study of 3700 adults which found a clear and growing dissatisfaction among English voters at the way the country, representing 84 per cent of the UK population, was governed, with a preference for an England-wide political institution to represent their interests.

Although David Cameron's preferred option of English votes for English laws (EVEL) had most support, when people were asked who best represented the interests of England, the Prime Minister and his party were well behind Mr Farage and Ukip.

When participants were asked which party best stands up for the interests of England, the Tories were placed fourth on 16 per cent, Labour were on 17, none of the above on 19 but Ukip came out on top with 23 per cent. The Liberal Democrats received just four per cent.

Much the same pattern was seen in terms of the party leaders.

When asked which one best stood up for English interests, Mr Farage was placed first with 22 per cent, seven ahead of David Cameron.

Co-author Professor Charlie Jeffery of the ESRC Centre on Constitutional Change at Edinburgh University, said: "There is a clear and growing sense of English political identity.

"We found this is driven in part by two factors: a feeling that the devolved nations, especially Scotland, have an unfair advantage over England and two, related, concerns about the influence of the EU and the impact of immigration."