Difference between revisions of "Douglas Carswell"

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[[File:Douglas_Carswell.jpg|400px|right|thumb|[[Douglas Carswell]] former Tory MP who defected to [[UKIP]] ]]
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{{person
'''John Douglas Wilson Carswell''' (born 3 May 1971) is a British politician, who served as a Conservative MP in the House of Commons from 2005 until 2014.  
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|image=Carswell.jpg
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|image_width=240px
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|description=A former Tory who was [[UKIP]]'s sole representative in Parliament before becoming an Independent MP
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|constitutes=politician
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|wikipedia=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Carswell
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|spouses=Clementine Bailey
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|alma_mater=University of East Anglia, King's College London
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|website=http://www.douglascarswell.com
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|birth_date=1971-05-03
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|birth_place=London, England
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|birth_name=John Douglas Wilson Carswell
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|religion=Anglicanism
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|political_parties=Conservative, UKIP, Independent
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|children=1
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|powerbase=http://www.powerbase.info/index.php/Douglas_Carswell
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|sourcewatch=http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Douglas_Carswell
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|employment={{job
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|title=Member of Parliament for Clacton
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|start=9 October 2014
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|end=29 August 2014
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}}{{job
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|title=Member of Parliament for Clacton
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|start=5 May 2005
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|end=29 August 2014
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}}
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}}
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[[File:Clacton_by-election.jpg|400px|right]]
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'''Douglas Carswell''' (born 3 May 1971) is a former Tory MP who defected to the [[UK Independence Party]] and resigned from Parliament on 28 August 2014 causing the [[Clacton by-election, 2014|Clacton by-election]] on 9 October 2014, in which he was elected as [[UKIP]]'s first MP.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28967904</ref><ref>''[http://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/council/elections%20%26%20voting/Statement%20of%20Persons%20Nominated%20-%20Parliamentary%20by-election%20Clacton%20Constituency.pdf "Statement of Persons Nominated"]''</ref>
  
On 28 August 2014, during the Parliamentary Recess, Douglas Carswell announced at a press conference with [[Nigel Farage]] that he was defecting from the Conservative Party to the [[UK Independence Party]] and resigning as the MP for Clacton, thereby necessitating a by-election which he will be contesting on behalf of [[UKIP]]. Carswell explained that he was joining [[UKIP]] out of a desire to see "fundamental change in British politics" and because he believed "many of those at the top of the Conservative Party are simply not on our side. They aren't serious about the change that Britain so desperately needs."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28967904|title=Tory MP Douglas Carswell defects to UKIP and forces by-election|date=28 August 2014|accessdate=29 August 2014|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> Douglas Carswell will contest the resulting [[Clacton by-election, 2014|Clacton by-election]] on 9 October 2014 for [[UKIP]].
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On 25 March 2017, Carswell addressed an email to thousands of his Clacton constituents:
 
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On 4 September 2014, the Conservative Party announced that an open primary is to be held in Clacton on Thursday 11 September 2014, when a Tory candidate will be selected.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29061300 "Tories to use open primary to choose Clacton candidate"]</ref>
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:"I wanted to let you know that I will be leaving [[UKIP]] and sitting in Parliament as an independent MP. I will continue as your MP, representing you and our area.
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:"Like many local people, I switched to UKIP because I wanted Britain to leave the [[European Union]]. Last June in the referendum a majority voted to leave – including a large majority of people in our part of Essex. The formal [[Brexit|process of leaving]] will be triggered by [[Theresa May|Mrs May]] on Wednesday. Job done.
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:"I will not be switching parties, or crossing the floor to the Conservatives, so do not need to call a by-election, like I did when switching from the Conservatives to UKIP. I will simply sit in the [[House of Commons|Commons]] as your representative, answering directly to you, my boss.
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:"I remain absolutely committed to our area. My local advice surgeries continue as normal, and my office is open to serve you."
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:Douglas Carswell
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:Member of Parliament for Clacton<ref>''[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39393213 "Douglas Carswell quitting UKIP to become independent MP for Clacton"]''</ref>
  
 
==Early life==
 
==Early life==
Douglas Carswell is the son of two medical doctors, and grew up in Africa, where his parents worked with the local communities.<ref name="AIDS Epidemic Sweeps Through Uganda">{{cite news |title=AIDS Epidemic Sweeps Through Uganda |first=Charles T. |last=Powers |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=24 May 1986 |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1986-05-24/news/mn-7454_1 }}</ref> He lived in Uganda until his late teens. His father, Wilson Carswell, a respected physician and Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, diagnosed the first confirmed cases of HIV/AIDS in Uganda during the early 1980s,<ref>{{cite news |title=Proof Positive |first=Mark |last=Schoofs |newspaper=''The Village Voice'' |date=4 July 2000 |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2000-07-04/news/proof-positive/ }}</ref> and was one of a number of people engaged in drawing the world's attention to the unfolding pandemic.<ref name="AIDS Epidemic Sweeps Through Uganda" />
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Douglas Carswell is the son of two medical doctors, and grew up in Africa, where his parents worked with the local communities.<ref name="AIDS Epidemic Sweeps Through Uganda">http://articles.latimes.com/1986-05-24/news/mn-7454_1</ref> He lived in Uganda until his late teens. His father, Wilson Carswell, a respected physician and Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, diagnosed the first confirmed cases of HIV/AIDS in Uganda during the early 1980s,<ref>http://www.villagevoice.com/2000-07-04/news/proof-positive/</ref> and was one of a number of people engaged in drawing the world's attention to the unfolding pandemic.<ref name="AIDS Epidemic Sweeps Through Uganda" />
  
 
Carswell attended St Andrews School, Kenya, before being educated at Charterhouse School, the University of East Anglia where he read History graduating as BA in 1993, and King's College London graduating in 1994 with a post-graduate MA degree in British Imperial History.
 
Carswell attended St Andrews School, Kenya, before being educated at Charterhouse School, the University of East Anglia where he read History graduating as BA in 1993, and King's College London graduating in 1994 with a post-graduate MA degree in British Imperial History.
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He worked as Corporate Development Manager for Television Broadcasting in Italy from 1997–99, and for INVESCO, reporting to the Continental Europe regional CEO, from 1999 until 2005 before entering politics.
 
He worked as Corporate Development Manager for Television Broadcasting in Italy from 1997–99, and for INVESCO, reporting to the Continental Europe regional CEO, from 1999 until 2005 before entering politics.
  
At the 2001 UK General Election, Carswell contested Sedgefield seat as the Conservative candidate. Despite the constituency being held by the then popular Prime Minister, [[Tony Blair]]'s majority fell by 7,500 votes with Carswell effecting a swing of 4.7 percent to the Conservatives<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/results_constituencies/constituencies/506.stm |title=Results & Constituencies: Sedgefield |author= |work= |publisher=BBC |accessdate=28 August 2014}}</ref> compared to a national swing of 1.8 percent. In the months before the 2005 General Election, Douglas Carswell worked in a minor capacity in the Conservative Party's Policy Unit, reporting to [[David Cameron]].
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At the 2001 UK General Election, Carswell contested Sedgefield seat as the Conservative candidate. Despite the constituency being held by the then popular Prime Minister, [[Tony Blair]]'s majority fell by 7,500 votes with Carswell effecting a swing of 4.7 percent to the Conservatives<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/results_constituencies/constituencies/506.stm</ref> compared to a national swing of 1.8 percent. In the months before the 2005 General Election, Douglas Carswell worked in a minor capacity in the Conservative Party's Policy Unit, reporting to [[David Cameron]].
  
 
==Member of Parliament==
 
==Member of Parliament==
 
===First parliamentary term===
 
===First parliamentary term===
Douglas Carswell was first elected to Parliament at the 2005 General Election for the constituency of Harwich, defeating [[Ivan Henderson]], the sitting Labour MP, by 920 votes. His maiden speech to the House of Commons was during a debate on the Identity Cards Bill,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/vo050628/debtext/50628-29.htm#50628-29_spnew5 |title=Identity Cards Bill (28 June 2005) |author= |date=28 June 2005 |work=Hansard |publisher=Parliament |accessdate=14 May 2010}}</ref> since when he has been a member of Conservative Friends of Israel as well as serving on the Commons Education Select Committee and the Public Accounts Committee.
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Douglas Carswell was first elected to Parliament at the 2005 General Election for the constituency of Harwich, defeating [[Ivan Henderson]], the sitting Labour MP, by 920 votes. His maiden speech to the House of Commons was during a debate on the Identity Cards Bill,<ref>http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/vo050628/debtext/50628-29.htm#50628-29_spnew5 </ref> since when he has been a member of Conservative Friends of Israel as well as serving on the Commons Education Select Committee and the Public Accounts Committee.
  
 
Shortly after entering Parliament, Carswell co-authored a publication ''Direct Democracy: an agenda for a new model party''.  This publication has been described by ''The Spectator'' (2 June 2007) as "one of the founding texts of the new, revitalised Toryism .... written by some of the brightest young Conservative thinkers". It sets out much of the thinking that has now become central to the Conservatives under PM [[David Cameron]]. In July 2005, Carswell became a founder member of the Cornerstone Group, led by Sir Edward Leigh, which represents traditional Conservative and Tory values. He also founded ''Direct Democracy'', a group of like-minded modernisers within the Party committed to making localism the core of the Conservative Party's platform.
 
Shortly after entering Parliament, Carswell co-authored a publication ''Direct Democracy: an agenda for a new model party''.  This publication has been described by ''The Spectator'' (2 June 2007) as "one of the founding texts of the new, revitalised Toryism .... written by some of the brightest young Conservative thinkers". It sets out much of the thinking that has now become central to the Conservatives under PM [[David Cameron]]. In July 2005, Carswell became a founder member of the Cornerstone Group, led by Sir Edward Leigh, which represents traditional Conservative and Tory values. He also founded ''Direct Democracy'', a group of like-minded modernisers within the Party committed to making localism the core of the Conservative Party's platform.
  
After returning from an Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS) trip to Afghanistan, Carswell criticised the British military's poor equipment and lack of helicopters that he had witnessed, which resulted in his ejection from AFPS.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tory MP Douglas Carswell 'punished' for damning army kit |first=Jonathan |last=Calvert |last2=Rowell|first2= Andy |newspaper=The Sunday Times |date=31 August 2008 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4641398.ece | location=London}}</ref>
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After returning from an Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS) trip to Afghanistan, Carswell criticised the British military's poor equipment and lack of helicopters that he had witnessed, which resulted in his ejection from AFPS.<ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4641398.ece</ref>
  
Carswell caused waves in the political world by leading a campaign to bring about the removal of the Speaker of the House of Commons, the first time for over 300 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dodonline.co.uk/engine.asp?lev1=4&lev2=37&menu=45&biog=y&group=6&tab=3&id=31685 |title=Political Biographies, Constituency & MP Profiles, News, Online Bookshop |publisher=DodOnline |accessdate=31 July 2009}}</ref>  He defied traditional Westminster thinking in April 2008,<ref name="Tory MP launches fresh bid">{{cite news |title=Tory MP launches fresh bid to oust 'touchy, stubborn' Speaker |first=Brendan |last=Carlin |newspaper=Daily Mail |date=28 September 2008 |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1063401/Tory-MP-launches-fresh-bid-oust-touchy-stubborn-Speaker.html | location=London}}</ref> when he became the first MP to publicly call for Speaker Michael Martin to be fired for his failure to ensure greater transparency as to how the House of Commons is run.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fearless Tory becomes first MP to call for Speaker to quit |first=Douglas |last=Carswell |newspaper=Daily Mail |date=13 April 2008 |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-559309/Fearless-Tory-MP-Speaker-quit.html | location=London}}</ref> No other MPs were then prepared to speak out against Martin, being strongly discouraged by the likes of Labour ex-minister Denis MacShane (later sent to prison for expenses fraud) who petitioned for Carswell to be disciplined for making this call.<ref name="Tory MP under fire for calling">{{cite news |title=Tory MP under fire for calling on Speaker to step down |first=David |last=Hencke |newspaper=The Guardian |date=14 April 2008 |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/apr/14/conservatives.houseofcommons | location=London}}</ref> Despite suggestions that Carswell would never be called to address the House again, Martin granted him his first opportunity to speak at PMQs the following week.<ref name="Michael Martin: the speaker cornered">{{cite news |title=Michael Martin: the speaker cornered |first=Stephen |last=Robinson |newspaper=The Sunday Times |date=27 July 2008 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4384015.ece | location=London}}</ref> Carswell pressed this issue again in September 2008, arguing that Speaker Martin opposed 'all reform on principle' of second-home allowances and expenses.<ref name="Tory MP launches fresh bid" /> In May 2009, he then put forward the motion of no confidence, backed by 22 MPs, triggering Martin's downfall in June.<ref>{{cite news |title=Speaker quits 'for sake of unity' |first= |last= |newspaper=BBC News |date=19 May 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8057203.stm }}</ref>
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Carswell caused waves in the political world by leading a campaign to bring about the removal of the Speaker of the House of Commons, the first time for over 300 years.<ref>http://www.dodonline.co.uk/engine.asp?lev1=4&lev2=37&menu=45&biog=y&group=6&tab=3&id=31685 </ref>  He defied traditional Westminster thinking in April 2008,<ref name="Tory MP launches fresh bid">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1063401/Tory-MP-launches-fresh-bid-oust-touchy-stubborn-Speaker.html </ref> when he became the first MP to publicly call for Speaker Michael Martin to be fired for his failure to ensure greater transparency as to how the House of Commons is run.<ref>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-559309/Fearless-Tory-MP-Speaker-quit.html </ref> No other MPs were then prepared to speak out against Martin, being strongly discouraged by the likes of Labour ex-minister Denis MacShane (later sent to prison for expenses fraud) who petitioned for Carswell to be disciplined for making this call.<ref name="Tory MP under fire for calling">http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/apr/14/conservatives.houseofcommons </ref> Despite suggestions that Carswell would never be called to address the House again, Martin granted him his first opportunity to speak at PMQs the following week.<ref name="Michael Martin: the speaker cornered">http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4384015.ece</ref> Carswell pressed this issue again in September 2008, arguing that Speaker Martin opposed 'all reform on principle' of second-home allowances and expenses.<ref name="Tory MP launches fresh bid" /> In May 2009, he then put forward the motion of no confidence, backed by 22 MPs, triggering Martin's downfall in June.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8057203.stm</ref>
  
In December 2009, Carswell tabled a Bill in the House of Commons to introduce a public referendum on Britain's EU membership.<ref name="eubill">{{cite web | url = http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2009-10/europeanunionmembershipreferendum.html | title = European Union Membership (Referendum) Bill 2009-10 | publisher = UK Parliament | accessdate = 28 August 2014 }}</ref> In February 2010, he asked Cabinet Secretary Gus O'Donnell to suspend Cabinet meetings held outside London,<ref>{{cite news |title=Labour uses Cabinet tour to rally party for election |first=Sam |last=Coates |last2=Ralph|first2= Alex |newspaper=The Times |date=18 February 2010 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/election_2010/article7031402.ece | location=London}}</ref> when it became apparent that [[Gordon Brown]]'s Government was using them to host Labour Party events in marginal seats.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ministers using Cabinet meetings to hold Labour events |first=James |last=Kirkup |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=18 February 2010 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/7260583/Ministers-using-Cabinet-meetings-to-hold-Labour-events.html | location=London}}</ref>
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In December 2009, Carswell tabled a Bill in the House of Commons to introduce a public referendum on Britain's EU membership.<ref name="eubill">http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2009-10/europeanunionmembershipreferendum.html</ref> In February 2010, he asked Cabinet Secretary Gus O'Donnell to suspend Cabinet meetings held outside London,<ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/election_2010/article7031402.ece </ref> when it became apparent that [[Gordon Brown]]'s Government was using them to host Labour Party events in marginal seats.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/7260583/Ministers-using-Cabinet-meetings-to-hold-Labour-events.html</ref>
  
 
===Second parliamentary term===
 
===Second parliamentary term===
In the newly-created constituency of Clacton at the 2010 General Election, Douglas Carswell increased his majority over Henderson to 12,068 votes. The Eurosceptic [[UK Independence Party]] decided not to field a candidate against Carswell but instead actively campaigned in support of his re-election in view of his staunch anti-EU views.<ref>[http://conservativehome.blogs.com/goldlist/2010/04/ukip-will-actively-campaign-for-the-reelection-of-six-conservative-mps-and-one-labour-mp.html "UKIP will actively campaign for the reelection of six Conservative MPs and one Labour MP"]</ref>
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In the newly-created constituency of Clacton at the 2010 General Election, Douglas Carswell increased his majority over Henderson to 12,068 votes. The Eurosceptic [[UK Independence Party]] decided not to field a candidate against Carswell but instead actively campaigned in support of his re-election in view of his staunch anti-EU views.<ref>''[http://conservativehome.blogs.com/goldlist/2010/04/ukip-will-actively-campaign-for-the-reelection-of-six-conservative-mps-and-one-labour-mp.html "UKIP will actively campaign for the reelection of six Conservative MPs and one Labour MP"]''</ref>
  
In the first week of the new parliamentary session of the Conservative-led Government, Carswell revealed he intended to force a referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon by re-ratifying the Treaty.<ref>{{cite news |title=Eurosceptics in plot to force vote on Lisbon Treaty |first=Jason |last=Groves |newspaper=Daily Mail |date=17 May 2010 |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/election/article-1278940/Eurosceptics-plot-force-vote-Lisbon-Treaty.html | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=MPs poised to renew calls for Lisbon Treaty referendum |first= |last= |newspaper=BBC News |date=16 May 2010 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8685001.stm }}</ref>
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In the first week of the new parliamentary session of the Conservative-led Government, Carswell revealed he intended to force a referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon by re-ratifying the Treaty.<ref>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/election/article-1278940/Eurosceptics-plot-force-vote-Lisbon-Treaty.html</ref><ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8685001.stm</ref>
  
On 28 August 2014, Douglas Carswell defected from the Conservatives to the [[UK Independence Party]] and, although not required to do so, resigned his seat out in order to win his constituents' mandate. The resulting [[Clacton by-election, 2014|by-election]] is to be held on the 9 October 2014 which Carswell will contest for [[UKIP]].<ref name="Guardian - Tory MP Douglas Carswell defects to Ukip and forces byelection">{{cite news|last1=Watt|first1=Nicholas|title=Tory MP Douglas Carswell defects to Ukip and forces byelection|url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/28/douglas-carswell-ukip-defects-tory-mp-byelection|accessdate=28 August 2014|work=The Guardian|date=28 August 2014}}</ref>
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On 28 August 2014, Douglas Carswell defected from the Conservatives to the [[UK Independence Party]] and, although not required to do so, resigned his seat out in order to win his constituents' mandate. The resulting [[Clacton by-election, 2014|by-election]] is to be held on the 9 October 2014 which Carswell will contest for [[UKIP]].<ref name="Guardian - Tory MP Douglas Carswell defects to Ukip and forces byelection">http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/28/douglas-carswell-ukip-defects-tory-mp-byelection</ref>
  
 
==Political positions==
 
==Political positions==
 
Dod's political biography of Carswell describes him as being "tall and Eurosceptic ... one of his party's radical thinkers".  ''The Economist'' has dubbed him "the thinking man's [U]kipper".<ref>The thinking man's kipper </ref> Carswell was described in ''The Sunday Times'' in July 2008 as 'one of the energetic young Tory modernisers elected to the Commons in 2005'.<ref name="Michael Martin: the speaker cornered" />
 
Dod's political biography of Carswell describes him as being "tall and Eurosceptic ... one of his party's radical thinkers".  ''The Economist'' has dubbed him "the thinking man's [U]kipper".<ref>The thinking man's kipper </ref> Carswell was described in ''The Sunday Times'' in July 2008 as 'one of the energetic young Tory modernisers elected to the Commons in 2005'.<ref name="Michael Martin: the speaker cornered" />
  
Carswell has become known at Westminster for being an outspoken advocate of political reform and action to clean up British politics.<ref>{{cite news |title=There's nothing swivel-eyed about rebuilding Britain's democracy |first=Charles |last=Moore |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=16 October 2009 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/charlesmoore/6351334/Theres-nothing-swivel-eyed-about-rebuilding-Britains-democracy.html | location=London}}</ref> He has proposed radical change to force politicians to answer outwardly to the electorate, rather than just amongst other politicians.<ref>{{cite news |title=Time for a Westminster revolution? |first=Brian |last=Wheeler |newspaper=BBC News |date=22 May 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8060896.stm }}</ref> In recognition of his stance, the ''Daily Telegraph'' nominated him a Briton of the Year 2009,<ref>{{cite news |title=Britons of the Year, 2009 |first= |last= |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=29 December 2009 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/review-of-2009/6904065/Britons-of-the-Year-2009.html | location=London}}</ref> and ''Spectator'' readers voted him their choice as "Parliamentarian of the Year" in the same year.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Spectator/Threadneedle Parliamentarian Awards |first= |last= |newspaper=The Spectator |date=12 November 2009 |url=http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/5533513/the-spectatorthreadneedle-parliamentarian-awards.thtml }}</ref>
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Carswell has become known at Westminster for being an outspoken advocate of political reform and action to clean up British politics.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/charlesmoore/6351334/Theres-nothing-swivel-eyed-about-rebuilding-Britains-democracy.html</ref> He has proposed radical change to force politicians to answer outwardly to the electorate, rather than just amongst other politicians.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8060896.stm</ref> In recognition of his stance, the ''Daily Telegraph'' nominated him a Briton of the Year 2009,<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/review-of-2009/6904065/Britons-of-the-Year-2009.html</ref> and ''Spectator'' readers voted him their choice as "Parliamentarian of the Year" in the same year.<ref>http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/5533513/the-spectatorthreadneedle-parliamentarian-awards.thtml</ref>
  
Carswell is sceptical of anthropogenic global warming, believing current climate change to be driven by non-human factors.  He came to this position after extensive reading, including Ian Plimer's ''Heaven and Earth''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Douglas Carswell: How the facts on global warming have changed |first=Leo |last=Hickman |newspaper=The Guardian |date=30 November 2009 |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2009/nov/30/douglas-carswell-climate-change | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Climate sceptics: are they gaining any credence? |first=James |last=Randerson |newspaper=The Guardian |date=4 December 2009 |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/dec/04/climate-sceptics-public-opinion | location=London}}</ref>
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Carswell is sceptical of anthropogenic global warming, believing current climate change to be driven by non-human factors.  He came to this position after extensive reading, including Ian Plimer's ''Heaven and Earth''.<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2009/nov/30/douglas-carswell-climate-change</ref><ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/dec/04/climate-sceptics-public-opinion </ref>
  
Carswell is the only Conservative MP returned at the 2010 General Election to have openly advocated proportional representation.<ref>{{cite news |title=How Cameron's secret kitchen cabinet had to rethink plans for power |first=Francis |last=Elliot |last2==Watson|first2= Roland |newspaper=The Times |date=8 May 2010 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7120180.ece | location=London}}</ref>
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Carswell is the only Conservative MP returned at the 2010 General Election to have openly advocated proportional representation.<ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7120180.ece</ref>
  
 
==Parliamentary expenses scandal==
 
==Parliamentary expenses scandal==
After being elected in 2005, Douglas Carswell originally designated a £1 million flat in London as his second home, and claimed over £21,000 for food, rent and furniture. In 2007 he began renting a house at Thorpe-le-Soken in his constituency, which he designated his second home, and again paid a deposit and for furniture, including a £655 love seat, from his expenses. Between 2007 and 2009, he claimed £32,000 in expenses for the house. Carswell admitted to using expenses to buy "an armchair, sofa and some bedding, as well as a few other modest items of crockery and furniture", and commented "I believe this is entirely justified".<ref name="teleg">{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5431746/MPs-expenses-Douglas-Carswell-claimed-700-in-expenses-for-love-seat.html |title=MPs' expenses: Douglas Carswell claimed £700 in expenses for love seat |first=Jon |last=Swaine |date=3 June 2009 |work= |work=The Daily Telegraph |accessdate=15 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/douglas-carswell-650-love-seat-which-mired-ukip-mp-expenses-scandal-1462995|title=Douglas Carswell and the £650 'Love Seat' Which Mired Ukip MP in Expenses Scandal|date=28 August 2014|accessdate=28 August 2014|work=International Business Times|first=Dominic|last=Gover}}</ref> In the 2012–13 financial year, he claimed £39,442.86, a larger figure than any other Essex MP. Carswell stated in July 2012 that his expenses had been greater than those of other MPs due to his need to rent accommodation close to Parliament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/local/clacton/9837248.Clacton_MP_defends_expenses_claims/|title=Clacton MP Douglas Carswell defends expenses claims|date=26 July 2012|accessdate=28 August 2014|work=Daily Gazette}}</ref>
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After being elected in 2005, Douglas Carswell originally designated a £1 million flat in London as his second home, and claimed over £21,000 for food, rent and furniture. In 2007 he began renting a house at Thorpe-le-Soken in his constituency, which he designated his second home, and again paid a deposit and for furniture, including a £655 love seat, from his expenses. Between 2007 and 2009, he claimed £32,000 in expenses for the house. Carswell admitted to using expenses to buy "an armchair, sofa and some bedding, as well as a few other modest items of crockery and furniture", and commented "I believe this is entirely justified".<ref name="teleg">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5431746/MPs-expenses-Douglas-Carswell-claimed-700-in-expenses-for-love-seat.html</ref><ref>{http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/douglas-carswell-650-love-seat-which-mired-ukip-mp-expenses-scandal-1462995</ref> In the 2012–13 financial year, he claimed £39,442.86, a larger figure than any other Essex MP. Carswell stated in July 2012 that his expenses had been greater than those of other MPs due to his need to rent accommodation close to Parliament.<ref>http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/local/clacton/9837248.Clacton_MP_defends_expenses_claims/</ref>
  
 
==Influence over the Conservative Party==
 
==Influence over the Conservative Party==
Conservative Party commentator and ''Daily Telegraph'' columnist Charles Moore credits Douglas Carswell, together with MEP Daniel Hannan, as the architects behind the idea of a Great Repeal Bill, as well as the concept of a "Contract with Britain" offered during the election, the "recall" of MPs who have displeased their constituents, open primaries for the selection of parliamentary candidates, and plans for elected Police Commissioners."<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{cite news| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/charlesmoore/7868842/Who-will-admit-that-the-Right-ways-are-not-the-wrong-ways.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | title=Who will admit that the Right ways are not the wrong ways? | first=Charles | last=Moore | date=2 July 2010}}</ref> According to Moore's analysis not only is "The localism of the Carswell/Hannan "direct democracy" movement is now good Coalition orthodoxy", but Cameron's policy guru, Steve Hilton, "enthusiastically lifted several bits of The Plan", the best-selling moderniser book written by Carswell and co-author Daniel Hannan.
+
Conservative Party commentator and ''Daily Telegraph'' columnist Charles Moore credits Douglas Carswell, together with MEP Daniel Hannan, as the architects behind the idea of a Great Repeal Bill, as well as the concept of a "Contract with Britain" offered during the election, the "recall" of MPs who have displeased their constituents, open primaries for the selection of parliamentary candidates, and plans for elected Police Commissioners."<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/charlesmoore/7868842/Who-will-admit-that-the-Right-ways-are-not-the-wrong-ways.html </ref> According to Moore's analysis not only is "The localism of the Carswell/Hannan "direct democracy" movement is now good Coalition orthodoxy", but Cameron's policy guru, Steve Hilton, "enthusiastically lifted several bits of The Plan", the best-selling moderniser book written by Carswell and co-author Daniel Hannan.
  
Even before the formation of the Coalition, the influence of Carswell's ideas was evident in speeches made by [[David Cameron]] – most notably in a speech to the Open University at Milton Keynes in May 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2009/05/daniel-hannan-and-douglas-carswell-wrote-david-camerons-speech-on-devolving-power.html |title=Daniel Hannan and Douglas Carswell wrote David Cameron's speech today on devolving power – thetorydiary |publisher=Conservativehome.blogs.com |date=26 May 2009 |accessdate=31 July 2009}}</ref> Blogger Guido Fawkes, who describes ''The Plan'' as a "huge hit, an Amazon bestseller and the all-time best-selling publish-on-demand publication ever sold by Amazon", also noted the influence of the book on Conservative political thinking.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://order-order.com/2009/05/26/cameron-my-government-will-be-open-online-all-the-time/ |title=Cameron : My Government Will Be "Open, Online All the Time" – Guy Fawkes' blog |publisher=Order-order.com |date=26 May 2009 |accessdate=31 July 2009}}</ref>
+
Even before the formation of the Coalition, the influence of Carswell's ideas was evident in speeches made by [[David Cameron]] – most notably in a speech to the Open University at Milton Keynes in May 2009.<ref>http://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2009/05/daniel-hannan-and-douglas-carswell-wrote-david-camerons-speech-on-devolving-power.html</ref> Blogger Guido Fawkes, who describes ''The Plan'' as a "huge hit, an Amazon bestseller and the all-time best-selling publish-on-demand publication ever sold by Amazon", also noted the influence of the book on Conservative political thinking.<ref>http://order-order.com/2009/05/26/cameron-my-government-will-be-open-online-all-the-time/</ref>
  
Carswell has frequently been invited to speak at conferences and seminars on a range of policy topics in which he has no formal role within the Party, such as reform of the criminal justice system,<ref>http://www.ippr.org/events/?id=3468</ref> constitutional reform,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thersa.org/events/audio-and-past-events/electoral-reform-right-question-right-answer-and-who-decides |title=Electoral Reform: Right question? Right answer? And who decides? |publisher=RSA |date=17 June 2009 |accessdate=31 July 2009}}</ref> defence and local government.
+
Carswell has frequently been invited to speak at conferences and seminars on a range of policy topics in which he has no formal role within the Party, such as reform of the criminal justice system,<ref>http://www.ippr.org/events/?id=3468</ref> constitutional reform,<ref>http://www.thersa.org/events/audio-and-past-events/electoral-reform-right-question-right-answer-and-who-decides</ref> defence and local government.
  
 
==Publications==
 
==Publications==
Line 59: Line 95:
 
* Chief author of [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/thinklocal/ ''The Localist Papers''] Published by the Centre for Policy Studies, serialised in the ''Daily Telegraph'' May – June 2007
 
* Chief author of [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/thinklocal/ ''The Localist Papers''] Published by the Centre for Policy Studies, serialised in the ''Daily Telegraph'' May – June 2007
 
* ''The Plan: Twelve Months to Renew Britain'' – co-written with Daniel Hannan
 
* ''The Plan: Twelve Months to Renew Britain'' – co-written with Daniel Hannan
 
+
{{SMWDocs}}
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>

Latest revision as of 09:05, 5 August 2021

Person.png Douglas Carswell   Powerbase Sourcewatch WebsiteRdf-entity.pngRdf-icon.png
(politician)
Carswell.jpg
BornJohn Douglas Wilson Carswell
1971-05-03
London, England
Alma materUniversity of East Anglia, King's College London
ReligionAnglicanism
Children1
SpouseClementine Bailey
PartyConservative, UKIP, Independent
A former Tory who was UKIP's sole representative in Parliament before becoming an Independent MP

Employment.png Member of Parliament for Clacton

In office
9 October 2014 - 29 August 2014

Employment.png Member of Parliament for Clacton

In office
5 May 2005 - 29 August 2014
Clacton by-election.jpg

Douglas Carswell (born 3 May 1971) is a former Tory MP who defected to the UK Independence Party and resigned from Parliament on 28 August 2014 causing the Clacton by-election on 9 October 2014, in which he was elected as UKIP's first MP.[1][2]

On 25 March 2017, Carswell addressed an email to thousands of his Clacton constituents:

"I wanted to let you know that I will be leaving UKIP and sitting in Parliament as an independent MP. I will continue as your MP, representing you and our area.
"Like many local people, I switched to UKIP because I wanted Britain to leave the European Union. Last June in the referendum a majority voted to leave – including a large majority of people in our part of Essex. The formal process of leaving will be triggered by Mrs May on Wednesday. Job done.
"I will not be switching parties, or crossing the floor to the Conservatives, so do not need to call a by-election, like I did when switching from the Conservatives to UKIP. I will simply sit in the Commons as your representative, answering directly to you, my boss.
"I remain absolutely committed to our area. My local advice surgeries continue as normal, and my office is open to serve you."
Douglas Carswell
Member of Parliament for Clacton[3]

Early life

Douglas Carswell is the son of two medical doctors, and grew up in Africa, where his parents worked with the local communities.[4] He lived in Uganda until his late teens. His father, Wilson Carswell, a respected physician and Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, diagnosed the first confirmed cases of HIV/AIDS in Uganda during the early 1980s,[5] and was one of a number of people engaged in drawing the world's attention to the unfolding pandemic.[4]

Carswell attended St Andrews School, Kenya, before being educated at Charterhouse School, the University of East Anglia where he read History graduating as BA in 1993, and King's College London graduating in 1994 with a post-graduate MA degree in British Imperial History.

He worked as Corporate Development Manager for Television Broadcasting in Italy from 1997–99, and for INVESCO, reporting to the Continental Europe regional CEO, from 1999 until 2005 before entering politics.

At the 2001 UK General Election, Carswell contested Sedgefield seat as the Conservative candidate. Despite the constituency being held by the then popular Prime Minister, Tony Blair's majority fell by 7,500 votes with Carswell effecting a swing of 4.7 percent to the Conservatives[6] compared to a national swing of 1.8 percent. In the months before the 2005 General Election, Douglas Carswell worked in a minor capacity in the Conservative Party's Policy Unit, reporting to David Cameron.

Member of Parliament

First parliamentary term

Douglas Carswell was first elected to Parliament at the 2005 General Election for the constituency of Harwich, defeating Ivan Henderson, the sitting Labour MP, by 920 votes. His maiden speech to the House of Commons was during a debate on the Identity Cards Bill,[7] since when he has been a member of Conservative Friends of Israel as well as serving on the Commons Education Select Committee and the Public Accounts Committee.

Shortly after entering Parliament, Carswell co-authored a publication Direct Democracy: an agenda for a new model party. This publication has been described by The Spectator (2 June 2007) as "one of the founding texts of the new, revitalised Toryism .... written by some of the brightest young Conservative thinkers". It sets out much of the thinking that has now become central to the Conservatives under PM David Cameron. In July 2005, Carswell became a founder member of the Cornerstone Group, led by Sir Edward Leigh, which represents traditional Conservative and Tory values. He also founded Direct Democracy, a group of like-minded modernisers within the Party committed to making localism the core of the Conservative Party's platform.

After returning from an Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS) trip to Afghanistan, Carswell criticised the British military's poor equipment and lack of helicopters that he had witnessed, which resulted in his ejection from AFPS.[8]

Carswell caused waves in the political world by leading a campaign to bring about the removal of the Speaker of the House of Commons, the first time for over 300 years.[9] He defied traditional Westminster thinking in April 2008,[10] when he became the first MP to publicly call for Speaker Michael Martin to be fired for his failure to ensure greater transparency as to how the House of Commons is run.[11] No other MPs were then prepared to speak out against Martin, being strongly discouraged by the likes of Labour ex-minister Denis MacShane (later sent to prison for expenses fraud) who petitioned for Carswell to be disciplined for making this call.[12] Despite suggestions that Carswell would never be called to address the House again, Martin granted him his first opportunity to speak at PMQs the following week.[13] Carswell pressed this issue again in September 2008, arguing that Speaker Martin opposed 'all reform on principle' of second-home allowances and expenses.[10] In May 2009, he then put forward the motion of no confidence, backed by 22 MPs, triggering Martin's downfall in June.[14]

In December 2009, Carswell tabled a Bill in the House of Commons to introduce a public referendum on Britain's EU membership.[15] In February 2010, he asked Cabinet Secretary Gus O'Donnell to suspend Cabinet meetings held outside London,[16] when it became apparent that Gordon Brown's Government was using them to host Labour Party events in marginal seats.[17]

Second parliamentary term

In the newly-created constituency of Clacton at the 2010 General Election, Douglas Carswell increased his majority over Henderson to 12,068 votes. The Eurosceptic UK Independence Party decided not to field a candidate against Carswell but instead actively campaigned in support of his re-election in view of his staunch anti-EU views.[18]

In the first week of the new parliamentary session of the Conservative-led Government, Carswell revealed he intended to force a referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon by re-ratifying the Treaty.[19][20]

On 28 August 2014, Douglas Carswell defected from the Conservatives to the UK Independence Party and, although not required to do so, resigned his seat out in order to win his constituents' mandate. The resulting by-election is to be held on the 9 October 2014 which Carswell will contest for UKIP.[21]

Political positions

Dod's political biography of Carswell describes him as being "tall and Eurosceptic ... one of his party's radical thinkers". The Economist has dubbed him "the thinking man's [U]kipper".[22] Carswell was described in The Sunday Times in July 2008 as 'one of the energetic young Tory modernisers elected to the Commons in 2005'.[13]

Carswell has become known at Westminster for being an outspoken advocate of political reform and action to clean up British politics.[23] He has proposed radical change to force politicians to answer outwardly to the electorate, rather than just amongst other politicians.[24] In recognition of his stance, the Daily Telegraph nominated him a Briton of the Year 2009,[25] and Spectator readers voted him their choice as "Parliamentarian of the Year" in the same year.[26]

Carswell is sceptical of anthropogenic global warming, believing current climate change to be driven by non-human factors. He came to this position after extensive reading, including Ian Plimer's Heaven and Earth.[27][28]

Carswell is the only Conservative MP returned at the 2010 General Election to have openly advocated proportional representation.[29]

Parliamentary expenses scandal

After being elected in 2005, Douglas Carswell originally designated a £1 million flat in London as his second home, and claimed over £21,000 for food, rent and furniture. In 2007 he began renting a house at Thorpe-le-Soken in his constituency, which he designated his second home, and again paid a deposit and for furniture, including a £655 love seat, from his expenses. Between 2007 and 2009, he claimed £32,000 in expenses for the house. Carswell admitted to using expenses to buy "an armchair, sofa and some bedding, as well as a few other modest items of crockery and furniture", and commented "I believe this is entirely justified".[30][31] In the 2012–13 financial year, he claimed £39,442.86, a larger figure than any other Essex MP. Carswell stated in July 2012 that his expenses had been greater than those of other MPs due to his need to rent accommodation close to Parliament.[32]

Influence over the Conservative Party

Conservative Party commentator and Daily Telegraph columnist Charles Moore credits Douglas Carswell, together with MEP Daniel Hannan, as the architects behind the idea of a Great Repeal Bill, as well as the concept of a "Contract with Britain" offered during the election, the "recall" of MPs who have displeased their constituents, open primaries for the selection of parliamentary candidates, and plans for elected Police Commissioners."[33] According to Moore's analysis not only is "The localism of the Carswell/Hannan "direct democracy" movement is now good Coalition orthodoxy", but Cameron's policy guru, Steve Hilton, "enthusiastically lifted several bits of The Plan", the best-selling moderniser book written by Carswell and co-author Daniel Hannan.

Even before the formation of the Coalition, the influence of Carswell's ideas was evident in speeches made by David Cameron – most notably in a speech to the Open University at Milton Keynes in May 2009.[34] Blogger Guido Fawkes, who describes The Plan as a "huge hit, an Amazon bestseller and the all-time best-selling publish-on-demand publication ever sold by Amazon", also noted the influence of the book on Conservative political thinking.[35]

Carswell has frequently been invited to speak at conferences and seminars on a range of policy topics in which he has no formal role within the Party, such as reform of the criminal justice system,[36] constitutional reform,[37] defence and local government.

Publications

  • Direct Democracy – Agenda for a New Model Party 13 June 2005. ISBN 1-84275-057-7
  • Direct Democracy; empowering people to make their lives better. C-change. October 2002. ISBN 1-84275-057-7
  • Paying for Localism Published by the Adam Smith Institute
  • Chief author of The Localist Papers Published by the Centre for Policy Studies, serialised in the Daily Telegraph May – June 2007
  • The Plan: Twelve Months to Renew Britain – co-written with Daniel Hannan

 

Events Participated in

EventStartEndLocation(s)Description
Brussels Forum/200620062006Belgium
Brussels
Yearly discreet get-together of huge amount of transatlantic politicians, media and military and corporations, under the auspices of the CIA and NATO-close German Marshall Fund.
Brussels Forum/201723 March 201725 March 2017Belgium
Brussels
Yearly discreet get-together of huge amount of transatlantic politicians, media and military and corporations, under the auspices of the CIA-close German Marshall Fund. The overarching theme was "‘End of Complacency – Era of Action?"
Many thanks to our Patrons who cover ~2/3 of our hosting bill. Please join them if you can.


References

  1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28967904
  2. "Statement of Persons Nominated"
  3. "Douglas Carswell quitting UKIP to become independent MP for Clacton"
  4. a b http://articles.latimes.com/1986-05-24/news/mn-7454_1
  5. http://www.villagevoice.com/2000-07-04/news/proof-positive/
  6. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/results_constituencies/constituencies/506.stm
  7. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/vo050628/debtext/50628-29.htm#50628-29_spnew5
  8. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4641398.ece
  9. http://www.dodonline.co.uk/engine.asp?lev1=4&lev2=37&menu=45&biog=y&group=6&tab=3&id=31685
  10. a b http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1063401/Tory-MP-launches-fresh-bid-oust-touchy-stubborn-Speaker.html
  11. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-559309/Fearless-Tory-MP-Speaker-quit.html
  12. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/apr/14/conservatives.houseofcommons
  13. a b http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4384015.ece
  14. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8057203.stm
  15. http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2009-10/europeanunionmembershipreferendum.html
  16. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/election_2010/article7031402.ece
  17. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/7260583/Ministers-using-Cabinet-meetings-to-hold-Labour-events.html
  18. "UKIP will actively campaign for the reelection of six Conservative MPs and one Labour MP"
  19. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/election/article-1278940/Eurosceptics-plot-force-vote-Lisbon-Treaty.html
  20. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8685001.stm
  21. http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/28/douglas-carswell-ukip-defects-tory-mp-byelection
  22. The thinking man's kipper
  23. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/charlesmoore/6351334/Theres-nothing-swivel-eyed-about-rebuilding-Britains-democracy.html
  24. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8060896.stm
  25. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/review-of-2009/6904065/Britons-of-the-Year-2009.html
  26. http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/5533513/the-spectatorthreadneedle-parliamentarian-awards.thtml
  27. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2009/nov/30/douglas-carswell-climate-change
  28. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/dec/04/climate-sceptics-public-opinion
  29. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7120180.ece
  30. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5431746/MPs-expenses-Douglas-Carswell-claimed-700-in-expenses-for-love-seat.html
  31. {http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/douglas-carswell-650-love-seat-which-mired-ukip-mp-expenses-scandal-1462995
  32. http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/local/clacton/9837248.Clacton_MP_defends_expenses_claims/
  33. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/charlesmoore/7868842/Who-will-admit-that-the-Right-ways-are-not-the-wrong-ways.html
  34. http://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2009/05/daniel-hannan-and-douglas-carswell-wrote-david-camerons-speech-on-devolving-power.html
  35. http://order-order.com/2009/05/26/cameron-my-government-will-be-open-online-all-the-time/
  36. http://www.ippr.org/events/?id=3468
  37. http://www.thersa.org/events/audio-and-past-events/electoral-reform-right-question-right-answer-and-who-decides