FOR a man who had just energised British politics, Douglas Carswell looked pretty exhausted. Eight hours after he became Ukip’s first elected MP, he was surviving on memories and Red Bull.

With his passion for direct democracy and his lopsided jawline, he is more redbrick political scientist than the chief tribune in Nigel Farage’s “people’s army”. In the excitement he said he has no idea where he will sit when he enters the Commons this week.

“[I will sit] on the opposition benches. I’ll consult the clerk who has very sound judgment on these things,” he said.

For a man who wants to shatter the mould of British politics, this nod to the men in tights was discordant and charming. But Carswell claimed his win