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A STATEMENT FROM IVAN HENDERSON
I wish to make it absolutely clear from the outset that I will not be seeking to be Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for the Clacton constituency in any future elections. I am making this clear to ensure that there should be no doubts regarding my motivation for the words that follow.
I am also conscious that this statement may be dismissed as the bitterness of a defeated candidate. If that is the perception then I will have to accept the stigma, unfair though it would be. I believe I would not be true to myself or to the values in which I have always believed if I do not attempt to draw attention to the presence of MPs such as Douglas Carswell within the parliamentary Conservative Party. Because he has been my direct political opponent for the last seven years I have been far more aware of how Mr Carswell operates and the nature of what he appears to stand for.
I have seen it reported that this election was particularly bad for the BNP as they failed to make the breakthrough that many feared. In my opinion, we should be far more afraid of the presence of MPs such as Douglas Carswell within the ranks of mainstream politicians within parliament. The views expressed by Mr Carswell during two General Elections and in between suggest that his political agenda is far closer to the BNP than it is to the ‘one nation’ Conservatism that his party pursues. His membership of the Cornerstone Group and his extreme right wing agenda on Immigration and Europe add to this perception. Conversations with many MPs lead me to believe that his political views are considered unpalatable amongst the majority of Conservative MPs and, in my opinion, Mr Carswell appears to hold the very opinions that the overwhelming majority of ordinary people fear.
I have tried to highlight the dangers of politicians such as Mr Carswell but, understandably, my words were always likely to be dismissed as the politically motivated statements of a political opponent. I hope that, now that this is no longer the case, those in a position to do so will take the threat seriously and pay careful attention to his activities.
I would urge all those who abhor right wing extremism to investigate Mr Carswell’s past, consider his present actions and to keep a close eye on his future behaviour. There is no point in keeping a watch out for extremists outside of parliament if there is a possibility that they are already present within its walls.
I can now do no more than ask others to take up the challenge and to hope that they succeed where I have failed. If they do not, the fear of our country being exposed to a right wing agenda may be far closer to becoming a reality than most people are aware.
Ivan Henderson
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Don't vote for a man who is misleading you!
