Ukip’s only MP quits the party
Ukip’s only MP Douglas Carswell quit the party yesterday but said a by-election isn’t needed as he plans to sit in the Commons as an independent.
The Clacton MP, who had defected to Ukip from the Tories, hit back at claims he was attempting to undermine the party.
He said: “The idea I was involved in sort of subterfuge or covert operation is nonsense.
“I spent the EU referendum campaign arguing that the people running the campaign should be positive and broad-minded.
“I’ve been pretty open about the fact that for Eurosceptism to be a force for change it needs to be inclusive, upbeat, progressive and forward-looking.”