The Clacton by-election

The Clacton by-election is just a few days away, and a UKIP victory is widely predicted.  This would make Douglas Carswell the first ever MP to be elected for UKIP.  If I've got it right, it would also be the first time since October 1990 that a political party has seen its first ever MP to be elected under its banner.  (At the start of that month, all of the Liberal Democrat MPs had been elected for other parties.)

The Conservatives are certainly acting up.  As well as making some very insulting remarks about UKIP voters - apparently including one about vacuum cleaners - there has been talk of ignoring at least some rulings of the European Court of Human Rights.

The European Court of Human Rights is an agency of the Council of Europe, which is distinct from the European Union.  Like the European Union, it is undemocratic.

While I have no problem in principle with what is being outlined, it is fair to point out that not everyone regards David Cameron as someone who can be trusted to deliver on his promises.

I will never vote UKIP, but I will nevertheless be not the slightest bit surprised if Douglas Carswell returns to the House of Commons next week.

Update: I have since found out that the government is also planning to tackle the EU on immigration.  Perhaps they could explain why they did not make this a condition of coalition government back in the summer of 2010.

A related post offsite: The Clacton Rebellion