CLACTON MP Douglas Carswell has been named “backbench maverick of the decade” by an influential political blog.

The Guido Fawkes blog, described as one of the country’s leading blogsites, gave out a series of awards to politicians to marks its tenth anniversary.

Mr Carswell was nominated alongside Labour’s Tom Watson, Lib Dem John Hemming and Conservative Zac Goldsmith.

Writing about Mr Carswell and his re-election to Parliament as a UKIP MP, the blog said: “Love him or hate him, there is no denying he’s caused an earthquake.”

Mr Carswell said: “It’s a humorous award, but on a serious note it shows Clacton people want an MP who will speak up for what’s right and not toe the party line.”