Interesting. Wouldn't be surprised if he could get other backbenchers to jump ship if they feel they're being ignored by the leadership.
Carswell is the "Forlorn Hope." they will wait until they see how well he fairs. If he doesn't come away with decent majority, it is unlikely any others will risk it.
Zac Goldsmith would be one likely ship jumper. He so rich he doesn't need to be an MP for the money or climbing the ministerial greasy pole so he could be willing to put his seat on the line.
You may never had heard of him but he has been one of the party's "free thinker" mavericks for years. He's bright, articulate and is certainly no fool.
Technically he is as he hasn't resigned his seat yet.
Well, I'm confused. Has he or has he not resigned from parliament? Is he officially a representative of UKIP in the House of Commons? Do UKIP hold a whip in the House of Commons?
I'm making the point that in the wider country I doubt anyone has ever heard of him. At least, north of Watford.
He's one of the better known backbenchers. I accept that those who wouldn't be able to name the Chancellor of the Exchequer or the Leader of the Opposition (many more than you might think) won't have heard of him, but anyone who follows politics at all will know who he is.
By the way before becomng MP for Clacton he was the Conservative candidate in Sedgefield against Tony Blair in 2001.
I wonder if David Davis will follow him? Another man whose talents are going to waste in a Tory party lead by Cameron.
He's certainly no stranger to controversy regarding by elections, and I agree, his talent is going to waste on the backbenches. There's a potential credibility problem though for any MP, and this is Douglas's gamble, which I'm certain he knows about. Is he going to be allowed to add something to and enhance UKIP, or will his joining UKIP diminish his reputation?
If the Conservative Party is sensible, they will throw everything into the by-election and ensure Carswell is defeated. It would be the death knell for UKIP.
Or
The Tories could sacrifice this seat by having a mediocre candidate, which will split those who vote for the party and those who vote for the candidate.
So if Labour get in through the back door, due to the split in votes,it will demonstrate the dangers to voters thinking of switching to UKIP.
i.e. Vote UKIP, get Labour
Well, I'm confused. Has he or has not resigned from parliament? Is he officially a representative of UKIP in the House of Commons? Do UKIP hold a whip in the House of Commons?
1) He resigned from the Conservative Party and joined UKIP this morning so he is currently a UKIP MP
2) He is going to resign his seat but the mechanism is actually quite archaic and convoluted so he will likely still be an MP on Monday when the Commons returns
Comments
That's how irrelevant Clacton is to me. And you, apparently, given you needed to check the map
Carswell is the "Forlorn Hope." they will wait until they see how well he fairs. If he doesn't come away with decent majority, it is unlikely any others will risk it.
Oooh. I hadn't heard that but it would be interesting especially with respect to Heathrow.
But he is hardly UKIP's greatest fan.
So, instead of actually answering the question, you refer to a political party that has no relevance to the debate at all?
Yep, Boris is trying to encourage him to go for it apparently.
Such as?
If the Tories are ridding themselves of its loons then there won't be many left- Just you and Ken Clarke?
Switching to UKIP doesn't sound very bright.
Is it an immediate resignation? (You'll notice I recognised his decision to stand down and campaign in by-election).
Very amusing.....
Hmmm - so if the Mayoral election is Goldsmith vs Diane Abbott, who would pro-Heathrow Tories vote for?
Well, I'm confused. Has he or has he not resigned from parliament? Is he officially a representative of UKIP in the House of Commons? Do UKIP hold a whip in the House of Commons?
You are being naughty again northantsgirl. There are very few loons in the Conservative Party.
Sounds like a guy who likes the smell of his own hype.
Plus Richmond is prosperous, well-educated, cosmopolitan. Not exactly UKIP territory.
He's one of the better known backbenchers. I accept that those who wouldn't be able to name the Chancellor of the Exchequer or the Leader of the Opposition (many more than you might think) won't have heard of him, but anyone who follows politics at all will know who he is.
By the way before becomng MP for Clacton he was the Conservative candidate in Sedgefield against Tony Blair in 2001.
WOW! :eek: It must be true then.
He's certainly no stranger to controversy regarding by elections, and I agree, his talent is going to waste on the backbenches. There's a potential credibility problem though for any MP, and this is Douglas's gamble, which I'm certain he knows about. Is he going to be allowed to add something to and enhance UKIP, or will his joining UKIP diminish his reputation?
Exactly. Who gets to decide the by election date too? The Tories or UKIP?
Or
The Tories could sacrifice this seat by having a mediocre candidate, which will split those who vote for the party and those who vote for the candidate.
So if Labour get in through the back door, due to the split in votes,it will demonstrate the dangers to voters thinking of switching to UKIP.
i.e. Vote UKIP, get Labour
Only if that party has a whip in the House of Commons.
1) He resigned from the Conservative Party and joined UKIP this morning so he is currently a UKIP MP
2) He is going to resign his seat but the mechanism is actually quite archaic and convoluted so he will likely still be an MP on Monday when the Commons returns
Have a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resignation_from_the_British_House_of_Commons
Since he will be their only MP for a few days he'll be able to whip himself as much as he wants.