20.11.14
Polls open in Rochester and Strood by-election
The polls are open in the Rochester and Strood by-election where it is widely expected that UKIP candidate, and former Conservative MP, Mark Reckless will comfortably keep the seat.
Reckless would become UKIP’s second MP in Westminster and he has further unsettled the Tories with claims that two other members of his former party are considering making the switch.
When Reckless initially announced his party switch, David Cameron and the Conservatives promised to “throw the kitchen sink” at the by-election in an attempt to keep the seat. However, despite the PM visiting the constituency five times during the campaign, there appears to have been no “Cameron bump” effect in the polls as the UKIP candidate still maintains a comfortable 12 point lead.
Eric Pickles, the Conservative communities secretary, in what appears to be further evidence of his disconnect with reality, said on Wednesday he was certain his party could win in defiance of the polls over the past few weeks. He also dismissed the idea of further defections.
One of the names commonly linked to a UKIP defection is Peter Bone, a prominent Eurosceptic and Tory MP for Wellingborough. He has not denied that he his considering defection and is in fact scheduled to speak in Cambridge today in favour of a motion that says Ukip has been good for British politics.
Reckless has said that the two MPs he has spoken with are likely to wait for the outcome of the by-election before they make a decision.
PSE will have the results and reaction tomorrow.
(Image: c. Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)