28/08/2014 Look East - East

Great, Peter, thanks very much. It Great, Peter, thanks very much. It

In tonight's programme, I'll be speaking to Mr Carswell.

We have the story behind that defection, plus local

I am very disappointed. We voted for a Tory in key and ended up with a

UKIP one. In other news tonight,

a major review of the railway project in Suffolk which has caused

misery for thousands of commuters. And if you use heating oil at home,

the latest advice on when to seat up.

This beach has been filled today with people having a lovely time in

the sunshine. They were somewhat surprised to be accosted by

journalists who are keen to find out their reaction to the news that the

local MP Douglas Carswell has announced that he is defecting from

the Tories to UKIP and in doing so triggered a by`election. The news

has caused shock waves across Westminster and Essex. We will speak

to Douglas Carswell later. First, this report. This is a dramatic but

not unexpected announcement. With his strong euro sceptic views,

Douglas Carswell has been known to be sympathetic to UKIP for some

time. His name has often been suggested as a possible defector. He

always insisted he was a conservative. I am joining you kept

not because I am a conservative hankering after the past. I want

change. Journalists were told this press conference was about a new

UKIP donor. Now one expected to hear about a by`election. It is not

enough to leave the Conservatives to join UKIP, as someone who has always

wanted to serve the people there is only one honourable thing for me to

do, I must seek permission from my boss, the people of Clacton. I will

now resign from Parliament and there will be a by`election. Douglas

Carswell is a popular MP, not just because of his conservative views

but because he is a local campaigner fighting for the hospital and just

this week he attacked Network Rail for the delays. He is so far to the

right of the Conservative Party I have wondered for a long time and he

could remain a conservative. This is a huge embarrassment for the

Conservative Party. When David Cameron first took in wide`eyed

fruitcakes you need only to look to Douglas Carswell to realise who he

was talking about. Conservatives feel let down. This is a mistake

because we as a Conservative Party are the only ones able to deliver a

referendum in 2017 if we win the next general election. Labour and

the Liberals have said no to this, UKIP cannot deliver. Fourth UKIP

this is a major true, in a region where support is already strong,

particularly in Essex where the party did very well. Back in April

Douglas Carswell was a guest at the Sunday politics programme. Was this

a hint of his change? I have never been mistaken for anything other

than me, certainly not for being a liberal Democrat. What about for

being a UKIP member? We shall have to see? Today he nailed his colours

to the mast, a high risk strategy that he thinks can work. Clacton saw

its heyday as a beach resort in the 1950s but since then it has seen

some claim. It is home to many retired people but has its fair

share of deprivation. Douglas Carswell won this seat with a 12,000

majority, more than 50% of the vote in 2010. What did people here make

of the announcement? At the Clacton Conservatives office,

party workers have not even had time to take down the Douglas Carswell

posters. In the window, was this a clue? A gushing tribute from UKIP

leader Nigel Farage. Mr Carswell sometimes comes into this

hairdresser. He was a real gentleman and I liked him. Not everyone is

happy the Conservative MP has jumped ship. I am disappointed, we voted

for a Tory MP and ended up with a UKIP one. It is shameless. It will

really rock the boat. Very shocked when I saw this on my phone this

morning. He has done the wrong decision. Elsewhere, a government

minister was opening a college of further education in Basildon. It

was a sign of how well the secret was kept that the minister knew

nothing about Douglas Carswell 's defection until we told him in this

interview. What is your reaction? I was not aware of that. I regretted

enormously, Douglas is a great man and I think it is a mistake. I am

stunned to hear this. Douglas Carswell spoke to us as recently as

Tuesday and gave no hint of the political bombshell that he was

about to drop. I think it is rather bizarre, a balmy decision by him.

Political analysts say that Mr Carswell stands a real chance of

winning the by`election for UKIP in Clacton. I think he has done the

right thing. Will you vote for him? I voted for him before and I will do

it again. He has a great local candidate. Soon, day`trippers here

could be outnumbered by politicians and political reporters when

campaigning for the all`important by`election gets underway. Douglas

Carswell joins us now. You have told us in the past many times you

actually through and through so what has changed? A couple of local

things helped crystallise the idea in my mind. For a start, the party

of localism, the Conservative Party that promised a local people the

right to decide things has announced we need an extra 12,000 homes to be

built in Clacton. The fact that the Conservative Party that promised to

reform the NHS is presiding over a situation in Clacton where local

people cannot see a GG. These local issues the great steel. The matter.

I do not think the party is serious about the change that we need. Are

you saying, because you are obviously very well`known forger

Euroscepticism, are you saying that Europe has not played a part in

this? It has played a part, but it is not the be all and end all. As I

said in my resignation speech, a failure to deliver political reform

to make government accountable to Parliament and Parliament properly

accountable to the voters, that I think is the single biggest factor

in my decision to decide that I am going to change party. Obviously, it

would be possible for me as an MP changing party to carry on in the

House of Commons, there have been no shortage of MPs have changed party

and remained sitting in the House of Commons but I do not think that

would be right. It would be the wrong thing to do. I will offer

myself up for the election sought local people can decide if this is

the right decision. You must know, too, that you are more likely to win

a by`election for UKIP and you would be if you waited until the general

election next year. As you feel any guilt towards all of those Tories in

the party who have fought for you and worked alongside you? There are

lots of very, very good people in the local Conservative Association

and I am very, very sad that it has come to this. I have been talking to

a lot of members of my Association today and they are coming with me.

Some will not and that saddens me but many will. I am accountable to

all voters in Clacton, not just those who happen to

favourite, do you feel confident of winning and becoming a kilt was for

UKIP at Westminster? I could lose, I do not sure if I will win. I am

taking a risk and trusting the people. I will say do you want me or

someone else? I am trusting the people and they are my boss, I had

to them. Let's see what they decide. Thank you very much for talking to

us. We will be back here in Clacton later with more reaction on today's

news but first we rest of the news from the region with Stewart.

After two days of major disruption for rail travellers on the

Great Eastern main line, Network Rail says it will decide tomorrow

whether more engineering work will go ahead in Ipswich this weekend.

A meeting was held last night between Network Rail, the train

operator Abellio and contractors working on the ?25 million scheme.

The Network Rail on an army on approach today at Ipswich station.

Part of a major theme to reduce congestion. At its heart it is

providing more space for freight trains to prevent hauled of the

passenger traffic. It involves laying new track of overhead power

lines. Today Network Rail said it had uncovered false with the

original design of a new signalling system being installed today.

Commuters were forced onto buses as bank holiday work overran by several

hours. Norwich North MP Corey Smith has led the great Eastern real

campaign, an all`party group arguing the region deserves better. We have

a very real service in East Anglia and Norfolk and Suffolk, it is not

good enough. We have had historic underinvestment and I am part of a

campaign to try had that part right. What we need in the short`term is

the service be done properly in terms of what they are due to

deliver the end, the out. When the MP took up the ace pockets challenge

in aid of charity today Network Rail were among the nominations for the

dosing. And number three, whoever is responsible at Network Rail but the

recent mess up in our real service. If they can take an ace pockets they

are welcome to come here and do it! Ready? Your regal. Smile! That is

called! Colchester MP Sir Bob Russell has argued there should be

no bonuses for Network Rail directors. It is often said we are

the pure relations in Thames of real spending but the ?25 million scheme

is part of a 2.2 billion programme of investment in this region in the

next five years. Network rail have apologised once more the travellers

and say they will make a final decision tomorrow on whether to go

ahead with plans engineering works on Saturday.

The cost of living for people in rural areas is now so high that

some are having to chose between buying food or heating their homes.

Norfolk Rural Community Council says higher transport and fuel costs mean

more home owners are suffering so`called 'fuel poverty'.

The percentage of households in 'fuel poverty' is highest

Filling up with heating fuel this summer might be the last thing on

your main but consider this, rate now it will cost around ?630. This

winter it could be ?200 more. It helps if you buy in bulk. Sylvia and

35 others have signed up to a syndicate scheme which has 3000

members across Norfolk. There are a lot of syndicates, what makes this

different? Because it is not just placing an order for us by the local

syndicate, it goes into the countywide syndicate and we get

benefits from that. How much do you think you have saved? Probably about

?100. Based in Norwich the team negotiating on Sylvia 's behalf

usually do deals for farmers but now each monthly by 150,000 litres of

oil for domestic customers. We call it the orders, go to the

marketplace, negotiate on their marketplace, negotiate on their

behalf when faced the best prices and get it delivered to them within

can you be from the market price? can you be from the

Around two or 3p cheaper. The Around two or 3p cheaper. The

charity behind the scheme say this is now the biggest issue in rural

areas. This can be a big choice for people putting food on the table and

keeping their house at a decent temperature. Has got worse? Is

definitely has over the past few years. This could be a template for

a fair and roller`coaster. Why don't the distributors give us a easier

ride? This is worldwide, not just this country. We are led by

worldwide prices. And we must follow the market trends. Rural campaigners

say we can maintain some local control well many top up their

tanks, those in the countryside pop up their tanks.

Last year the Godolphin racing stables in Newmarket was

the centre of a major doping scandal with the revelation that trainer

Mahmood Al Zarooni had injected horses with illegal steroids.

A second Newmarket trainer was then caught doing the same thing

and the two were banned for a total of 13 years.

In the final part of our special series

on horse racing Louise Hubball asks has Newmarket's reputation recovered

In Newmarket, reputation is everything.

But this is a scandal that sent shockwaves through racing.

Godolfin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni banned for 8 years

Another Newmarket trainer, Gerard Butler, banned for 5 over

More than 12 months on, a day at the races, like here at

And wiht the best view in the house, this voice of the sport welcomes

the British horseracing authority's new guidelines in response to

the scandal, including drugs testing without warning.

They have brought out a new format and hopefully it will

go around the world, where no drugs will be allowed to be used to help

horses run faster or mask any ailments or anything like that.

Newmarket's reputation, Godolfin's reputation, has that recovered?

We've got rid of the bad apples, if there were, now the good guys are

And here you don't have to look far for an expert opinion

It is typical of any environment in which you have big money,

there is always someone who is trying to get an edge.

In this case the culprits were caught, they were punished

It hasn't had any effect on attendences, it certainly hasn't

Do you think there is any lasting damage to Newmarket?

It is a reputation that has been long established over centuries,

Godolfin politely declined my request for an interview,

and certainly here on Newmarket's gallops,

And that is a bonus for the region's economy.

The reality is, racehorse trainers here alone bring

?98 million to the local area and employ more than 2,000 people.

And there is new investment proposed.

A new ?5 million gallops here on the racecourse side, to reduce

This is a world steeped in heritage and bloodlines, but as the past year

has proved, reputation can be robust and ensure future success.

Louise Hubble, BBC Look East, Newmarket.

's let's go back to Suzy in Clacton. Welcome back to Clacton in Essex

where local people are digestive and the news that their local MP is

defecting from police to UKIP. Douglas Carswell 's bombshell has

taken everyone by surprise, including his neighbouring MP and

fellow Euro`sceptic Tory Bernard Jenkin. They were known to be close

colleagues so when I spoke to Mr Jenkin earlier I asked for his

reaction. A bit of a bolt from the blue actually, I did not expect

Douglas to do this. He is a very principled person, he has very clear

views about this. I was not expecting him to defect from the

Conservative Party at this particular moment, not at all. You

are also a year is kept it, do you think he is showing the courage of

his convictions? Most of the Conservative Party is you sceptics.

What of the country is Euro`sceptic. I am disappointed he is not staying

in the Conservative Party to argue for the changes we need. David

the fiscal union treaty but he did. the fiscal union treaty but he did.

There are many things that we persuaded David Cameron of and that

is part of being in a party as a backbencher, persuading your

readership that things must change. I wish Douglas was still doing that.

The problem about what he has `` about what he has done is that it

helps Ed Miliband. If you want Ed Miliband to the Prime Minister don't

vote Conservative. UKIP has made it clear that this is one of their

target areas. Does that continue as an Essex MP? We know that the UKIP

Ford has been getting stickier, they have been holding onto their vote

better. But the UKIP Ford full`back. But it will cost Conservative seats

if too many Conservatives fought UKIP. The result of that will not be

a UKIP government, not a yellow sceptic government that.

Immigration, or do anything about the European Union, it will be a

Labour government putting up taxes and taking us more and more into the

EU and raising the level of immigration. That is what will

happen if you vote UKIP. You think he is reflecting the strength of

opinion among the general public? How was treated by a viewer on the

way he said at last an MP showing some. I think he is touching quite a

lot of people in that way, people like to see that someone is acting

out of principle. We as a party must act out of principle and we should

learn something from this and make sure that our policy is clear and

principled in our manifesto. That is what many of us will continue to

argue for in the Conservative Party and I am just sorry that Douglas has

decided to abandon ship and help Ed Miliband instead. Will he win? We

will wait and see. I am sure we will give him a good run for his money.

David Fincher is with me, the leader of conservatives in Essex County

Council. Do you feel betrayed by Douglas Carswell? Now, at this time

before elections we see defections of the time. MEPs from UKIP, over to

us. Do you think you can win? He is very popular. He is very popular but

you can have no policies worth talking about. The irony to trick

pony. We have all of the policies and all of the answers and we are

demonstrating that they are good answers every day in this country.

Do you think UKIP can do it? The bookies have UKIP favourites to win

the seat, they have the things going for them. Douglas Carswell is a

popular local MP. You can have a strong message on immigration and

that is a big issue in this part of the world. When it comes to the

by`election Douglas Carswell will be standing for none of the above. None

of the mainstream parties. For an electric dissatisfied with

mainstream holiday that will be attractive. He had a 12,000

majority, that there's a lot of people to move over to UKIP. It is

possible he could split the UKIP vote and let in labour. When will

the by`election happen? That is for the Conservatives to decide. They

want is out of the way quickly. We are heading towards conference

season and we cannot do it then. Thank you very much. As you can see

it is very glory here, let's get the weather.

We are getting a sneak preview at the beginning of September, high

pressure slowly builds to the south and that means for all of us we will

see some fine and dry weather. Temperatures fairly respectable for

the beginning of September and also some sunshine. That is not the case

at the moment, take a look at the charity. We have a weak weather

front moving in from the West. It is producing a lot of rain across Wales

and the western parts of England. As it slowly pushes across as it will

weaken. There is a lot of cloud on it as well, so it will be cloudy

evening. The rain will slowly give us fit and into the evening. The

rain arriving over Cambridge as well as western parts of Norfolk. Some

parts remain dry, the rain is very patchy. As we head to the evening

you might find a little bit of darkness in places. Overnight it

will remain dry, with a lot of clear skies but the breeze is quite

strong. It blows the" across as and there is the risk of the odd spot or

two of rain. With the wind and the quote and temperatures holding up"

is a mild to make coming in at around 12 or even 13 degrees.

Tomorrow starts cloudy and breezy, through the day we are likely to see

the dampness again coming in. In any of high`pressure is still coming up

towards Scotland. We may find some rain coming in from time to time but

many areas remaining dry. Because the breeze is quite strong it could

blow the cloud quite quickly across East Anglia. If you are sheltered

from the breeze the temperatures will hold at around 19 or 20

degrees. If you are stepping out tomorrow it could be a bit damp in

places again, but it will be a mild evening, temperatures holding up

into double figures, around 12 or 13 degrees. As I said, the

high`pressure is slowly moving in from the south. This is the former

hurricane crest of that is pushing up in this direction and not

bothering us. The good news is that the cloud will break up and there

will be a late fees and some sunshine. It will be cloudy on

Friday and Saturday, Sunday looks brighter but, Monday some good sunny

spells and temperatures up to 21 degrees. Good evening.

The satellite trucks have been here in force today, parked along the

beachfront. All eyes on Clacton in the coming weeks to see if this is a

place where political history will be made with the first UKIP MP

elected. And if so will it be a one for the start of a major change at

Westminster? Interesting times politically. Goodbye.

Go away if you don't me to speak to you like that!

Most schools exclude disruptive pupils.

I ain't putting up with this any more.

But one school takes them in and promises five GCSEs.