CLACTON MP Douglas Carswell has welcomed the election of Ukip’s new MP.

Mark Reckless won the Rochester and Strood by-election with a majority of 2,920 in the early hours on Friday.

Mr Reckless had followed Mr Carswell’s lead by resigning his seat after defecting from the Conservatives to Ukip – triggering a by-election.

Mr Carswell was Ukip’s only MP following his election on October 9.

But he was joined in the House of Commons by his new Ukip colleague for the first time on Friday, just hours after the election.

“I never felt lonely in Parliament because I knew I had Clacton behind me,” said Mr Carswell.

“But it is good to have a colleague sitting next to me.

“The Rochester result shows it’s not just Clacton that wants change – the whole country is calling out for change.”

For the full story, see next week's Clacton Gazette