‘I might actually win!’ Ex-Clacton MP hints at standing against Nigel Farage and says ‘deep state’ is out to sabotage Reform

Ex-Clacton MP Douglas Carswell has hinted about standing against Nigel Farage in the upcoming Clacton by-election.

Mr Carswell, who represented Clacton in the House of Commons as both a Tory and Ukip MP, admitted he was hopeful of his chances if he stood in the seat.

The prominent Brexiteer said: “Perhaps I should stand in the Clacton by election?

“Be amusing and think I might actually win. Again.”

Mr Carswell, who relocated to Mississippi after leaving Parliament, was considered a rival to Mr Farage despite defecting to Ukip in 2014.

The pair ended up campaigning for different pro-Brexit groups in 2016, with Mr Carswell supporting Vote Leave and Mr Farage becoming a figurehead for Leave.EU.

They found themselves again at loggerheads in 2017 when leaked emails appeared to suggest Mr Carswell mocked the suggestion Mr Farage should receive a knighthood.

Mr Carswell won his Clacton seat in a by-election held in 2014, later retaining the seat as Ukip’s sole MP at the 2015 General Election.

Despite Mr Farage previously accusing Mr Carswell of being a “fifth columnist” and a “Tory posh boy”, Mr Carswell last night appeared to defend Reform UK amid its ongoing financial scandal.

The 55-year-old, who also argued the onslaught was “orchestrated”, said: “It’s a deep state operation.”

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