Tory MP defection.
Discussion
"Tory MP Douglas Carswell has defected to the UK Independence Party and will stand down as MP for Clacton to seek re-election in a by-election.
If he wins the by-election he will be the first UKIP MP to take a seat in Westminster."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28967904
Quite impressed he's got the balls to call a by-election. Never like it when an MP switches parties without calling a by-election (yes, Emma Nicholson I'm thinking of you).
If he wins the by-election he will be the first UKIP MP to take a seat in Westminster."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28967904
Quite impressed he's got the balls to call a by-election. Never like it when an MP switches parties without calling a by-election (yes, Emma Nicholson I'm thinking of you).
Fittster said:
"Tory MP Douglas Carswell has defected to the UK Independence Party and will stand down as MP for Clacton to seek re-election in a by-election.
If he wins the by-election he will be the first UKIP MP to take a seat in Westminster."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28967904
Quite impressed he's got the balls to call a by-election. Never like it when an MP switches parties without calling a by-election (yes, Emma Nicholson I'm thinking of you).
I agree - an honest and honourable politician!!! Truly this is the age of wonders!If he wins the by-election he will be the first UKIP MP to take a seat in Westminster."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28967904
Quite impressed he's got the balls to call a by-election. Never like it when an MP switches parties without calling a by-election (yes, Emma Nicholson I'm thinking of you).
I met Douglas Carswell a few years ago. He came to Harwich port where I was working. He seemed a pretty straightforward chap and very pleasnt to talk to. Not to up on himself like many politicians. Very good constituency MP apparently so has a strong chance of getting re-elected for UKIP.
He had a majority of over 12,000 so he would have easily won the seat as a Tory next year. So credit to him for forcing a by-election because I can't imagine he'd be favourite under a UKIP banner.
The results last time round:
Con 22,867
Lab 10,799
LD 5,577
BNP 1975
It appears UKIP didn't stand last time.
The results last time round:
Con 22,867
Lab 10,799
LD 5,577
BNP 1975
It appears UKIP didn't stand last time.
cranford10 said:
I live in this constituency. Often see Carswell out & about and he is a good MP IMO. The demographic here is quite elderly so natural UKIP voters anyway. He is odds on to retain the seat (1/3 with Paddy Power I think)
Interesting.So a heavy favourite then - didn't expect that. Cameron must be fuming.
BlackLabel said:
cranford10 said:
I live in this constituency. Often see Carswell out & about and he is a good MP IMO. The demographic here is quite elderly so natural UKIP voters anyway. He is odds on to retain the seat (1/3 with Paddy Power I think)
Interesting.So a heavy favourite then - didn't expect that. Cameron must be fuming.
BlackLabel said:
Interesting.
So a heavy favourite then - didn't expect that. Cameron must be fuming.
He is the complete opposite to Cameron thankfullySo a heavy favourite then - didn't expect that. Cameron must be fuming.
Interesting post from Guido here on the PP blog
http://blog.paddypower.com/2014/08/28/guido-fawkes...
It's worth listening to what he had to say. Although I'm not sure any of these problems will get better just because UKIP get a seat or 2.
I wonder if this will prompt any other Tories to defect?
https://audioboo.fm/boos/2430117-douglas-carswell-...
I wonder if this will prompt any other Tories to defect?
https://audioboo.fm/boos/2430117-douglas-carswell-...
mrpurple said:
Out of interest - any idea what they would have been as a Tory?
His majority as a % of the total vote in 2010 was 28% which ranks it 492 out of 650 so the odds of Carswell losing, had he continued to stand as a Tory, in 2015 must have been very very low. It was a very safe Tory seat.http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge10/maj....
ralphrj said:
wolves_wanderer said:
At least he has called a by-election. Besides which, this seat probably isn't safe enough for Boris to be interested in.
Based only on the 2010 election result Clacton would be a safer bet than Uxbridge.Off topic but Boris, far from looking to prove he is the Conservative with universal appeal has gone for just about the safest seat possible.
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