Sir, Comparing Ukip with the SDP in the 1980s — as vigorous small political parties attracting much public and media attention — it is worth pointing out that the initial election of high-profile well-known SDP candidates did much to distort the true national picture of the party’s support, evidenced by a poor overall result for them at the 1983 election.
I predict a win for Douglas Carswell in Clacton this autumn on a low poll, followed by a narrow victory in May 2015, then a defeat later in 2015.
William Grierson
Kimpton, Herts