IF Douglas Carswell, the Conservative MP for Clacton, had merely defected to Ukip it would have been yet another defection.

I remember the defection of Stockton’s MP Bill Rodgers to the Social Democratic Party.

It was some months in coming but it was clear he was dissatisfied with the way the Labour Party was going.

Importantly, he did not resign and lost the seat in the General Election to follow.

Douglas Carswell is making history because he is resigning immediately as MP and forcing a by-election. I disagree with him on the European Union but I recognise he acts out of principle and personal conviction. This is wonderfully refreshing.

It is high time we had a new breed of men and women in politics. We have too many who are time-servers and functionaries.

It is abundantly clear why so many electors are disillusioned with politics.

Politics should be an honourable pursuit, but now it is in the category of second-hand car salesmen. I wish I could help to change that.

Geoff Bulmer, Billingham.