A series of local Conservatives have joined the former Tory Douglas Carswell in his defection to Ukip.
Mike Wadham, treasurer of his old association, Clacton Conservatives, is among those to have jumped ship, citing loyalty to the former MP as his reason. He told his new colleagues that “if Douglas had joined the Teddy Bear Party, I would have gone with him”. His predecessor as treasurer, Ashley Mooney, has also pledged to switch to Ukip and campaign for Mr Carswell.
Mr Mooney said that he admired Mr Carswell’s independent-mindedness and his libertarian beliefs. “He stands for the kind of things I stand for,” he said. “I’m going with him because I like him and his ideas.”
Several other former Conservative supporters yesterday promised to help