Douglas Carswell will NOT stand in election: Former Ukip MP says THIS is how he'll vote
DOUGLAS CARSWELL will not stand for re-election, he has announced.
Nigel Farage blames Douglas Carswell for 'division' in Ukip
Mr Carswell, once Ukip's only MP, said he will be voting Conservative.
The announcement by the Clacton MP follows a revelation from millionaire businessman Arron Banks he intends to run for the seat.
Mr Banks, who bankrolled Brexit, said he may not stand for Ukip, leading to speculation he will form his own party.
Douglas Carswell cut ties with Ukip earlier this year, becoming an independent MP, after a long-running row with former leader Nigel Farage.
Yesterday, Mr Carswell said he could not rule out re-joining the Tories.
Douglas Carswell has announced he will not stand in Clacton - but Arron Banks will
He told the Essex County Standard: “It is a fantastic decision to call a snap election.
“The people of Clacton want Brexit to be delivered and Prime Minister Theresa May is the right choice.
“20,000 people switched to UKIP in the Clacton by-election and they did it because they want us to leave the EU.
“It’s because of Clacton voters voting for UKIP that we got that referendum - and now it is job done.”
Douglas Carswell quit Ukip after Brexit
Mr Banks responded to Mr Carswell's announcement by tweeting a smiley face wearing sunglasses, the emoji for Cool.
It was the same emoji tweeted by Mr Carswell after Mr Farage resigned.
A statement from the Liberal Democrats accused Mr Carswell of trying to escape blame for Brexit.
It said: “Yet another one of the top Brexiteers is leaving a sinking ship.
“After steering the country towards a disastrous hard Brexit, it seem leading Leave campaigners don’t want to be held accountable for what happens next.”
Douglas Carswell and Nigel Farage had huge differences within the Ukip party
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