VOTERS in Clacton will be the ones who decide on Mr Carswell’s future as their MP, he said.

As well as defecting to UKIP, the former Tory MP has resigned his seat.

It means voters in Clacton will go to the polls to elect a new MP.

Mr Carswell will stand in the election for his new party.

"As someone who's always answered directly to the independent-minded people of Essex, there is only one honourable thing for me to do,” he said.

"I must seek permission from my boss, the people of Clacton. I will now resign from Parliament and stand for UKIP in the by-election that now follows."