Now will the Tories listen?

DOUGLAs CARsWELL’s highly principled defection and resignation from Parliament is a reflection of the attitudes of his constituents — people, tory or Labour alike, who feel the main parties despise them, and are crying out to have their voices heard.

Mr Carswell has a superb chance of holding his seat, not just in the forthcoming by- election but next May, too. As for the tories, I don’t know how much longer they can pretend that Ukip isn’t eating into their vote.

Also, they cannot blame Ukip if they fail to win the General Election — the reason would be David Cameron’s total refusal to do a deal with Ukip.