Ukip MP Carswell gets the cold shoulder form former Tory colleagues
THE UK Independence Party's first elected MP was sworn in yesterday amid stony silence from former Tory colleagues.
There was no murmur of greeting conventionally awarded to any new member as Tory defector Douglas Carswell went through the ancient ceremony of swearing allegiance to the Queen.
An ICM opinion poll last night revealed support for Ukip had surged five points since last month to 14 per cent
But some Labour MPs whooped when the re-elected MP exchanged deep nods and smiles with Tory Chief Whip Michael Gove.
Earlier, arriving back at Parliament after winning the Clacton by-election he triggered after leaving the Conservatives for Ukip, Mr Carswell said Mr Gove had made a "friendly" phone call to him in recent days which the MP hoped would set the tone for other Tories' approach towards him.
An ICM opinion poll last night revealed support for Ukip had surged five points since last month to 14 per cent, with Labour steady on 35 and the Conservatives down two on 31 per cent.
New polling by former senior Tory Lord Ashcroft found Labour was up two since last week on 32, the Tories were down four on 28 and Ukip were up two on 19, equalling their record in his surveys.
