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Eastleigh by-election: Lib Dems hold on despite UKIP surge Eastleigh by-election: Lib Dems hold on despite UKIP surge
(35 minutes later)
  
The Liberal Democrats have won the Eastleigh by-election, with the UK Independence Party pushing the Conservatives into third place.The Liberal Democrats have won the Eastleigh by-election, with the UK Independence Party pushing the Conservatives into third place.
The Lib Dems' Mike Thornton, who held on to the Hampshire constituency for his party by 1,771 votes, promised to be a "strong voice" in Parliament. Leader Nick Clegg said the party's candidate Mike Thornton had pulled off a "stunning victory" which had been secured "against the odds".
UKIP saw its best-ever performance in a Westminster poll. Leader Nigel Farage said it was not a "freak result".UKIP saw its best-ever performance in a Westminster poll. Leader Nigel Farage said it was not a "freak result".
But the Conservatives dismissed UKIP's showing as a "protest vote".But the Conservatives dismissed UKIP's showing as a "protest vote".
The by-election was called after former Lib Dem cabinet minister Chris Huhne resigned as an MP following an admission he had perverted the course of justice over driving licence points.The by-election was called after former Lib Dem cabinet minister Chris Huhne resigned as an MP following an admission he had perverted the course of justice over driving licence points.
'Superb record''Superb record'
But the party, which has held Eastleigh since another by-election in 1994, won despite a fall in its share of the vote of more than 14 percentage points since the 2010 general election.But the party, which has held Eastleigh since another by-election in 1994, won despite a fall in its share of the vote of more than 14 percentage points since the 2010 general election.
UKIP candidate Diane James got 11,571 votes, on a 19.3% swing from the Lib Dems.UKIP candidate Diane James got 11,571 votes, on a 19.3% swing from the Lib Dems.
Conservative Maria Hutchings won 10,559 votes, representing a 14% reduction compared with her share of the vote at the general election, when she came second to Mr Huhne.Conservative Maria Hutchings won 10,559 votes, representing a 14% reduction compared with her share of the vote at the general election, when she came second to Mr Huhne.
Labour's John O'Farrell was fourth with 4,088 votes.Labour's John O'Farrell was fourth with 4,088 votes.
Lib Dem Mr Thornton, who has been a parish and borough councillor since 2007, said: "The people of Eastleigh recognise that the Liberal Democrats have always had a superb record of delivery, we've always listened to what people want, and we always make sure that we do a good job."Lib Dem Mr Thornton, who has been a parish and borough councillor since 2007, said: "The people of Eastleigh recognise that the Liberal Democrats have always had a superb record of delivery, we've always listened to what people want, and we always make sure that we do a good job."
Asked about his priorities as a new MP, he said: "I do have a business background, so my main focus will be to bring investment, like we have in Eastleigh, and see how we can scale that up to the country." At a victory celebration in the constituency, Mr Clegg said the party had won in the "most exceptionally difficult circumstances" - given the manner of Huhne's departure and allegations surrounding the party's former chief executive Lord Rennard.
"We held our nerve. We stood our ground... We overcame the odds with a stunning victory," he said, adding that the result proved the Lib Dems "can be a party of government and still win".
UKIP's Nigel Farage said the surge in support for his party was not a "freak result", telling the BBC: "If the Conservatives hadn't split our vote we would have won."UKIP's Nigel Farage said the surge in support for his party was not a "freak result", telling the BBC: "If the Conservatives hadn't split our vote we would have won."
"Something is changing. People are sick and tired of having three social democrat parties that are frankly indistinguishable from each other," he added."Something is changing. People are sick and tired of having three social democrat parties that are frankly indistinguishable from each other," he added.
What does this result mean?What does this result mean?
  • Relief for the Lib Dems: They ploughed everything into it and it paid off. In the face of mid-term austerity blues and the aftermath of a predecessor who resigned under a dark cloud, Mike Thornton won. It will strengthen Nick Clegg and it will embolden Lib Dems as the coalition dynamic evolves. But their share of the vote was down double digits. It was a tough scrap.
  • A victory in all but name for UKIP: The march of UKIP continues, Eastleigh was their best-ever election performance. They pushed hard on EU migration and an anti-establishment theme. They were the only ones to put on a significant number of votes. It's clear they are now the new "protest vote party". And don't ignore the fact they came close to winning.
  • Nightmare for the Tories: Pushed to third in a seat that was theirs not too long ago, their UKIP-like candidate was humiliated. This will lead to renewed talk about Cameron's leadership and his conservative credentials. Why has his offer of a referendum on Europe and increasingly tougher talk on EU migration and human rights not bought dividends in Eastleigh and hurt UKIP?
  • Long march ahead for Ed: Eastleigh showed that Labour kept its core but it didn't do any better. Ed Miliband's One Nation Labour didn't make inroads in this southern seat. And some will point to the fact the anti-government protest vote seemed to completely bypass Labour, in spite of its consistent sizable lead in national opinion polls?
  • Relief for the Lib Dems: They ploughed everything into it and it paid off. In the face of mid-term austerity blues and the aftermath of a predecessor who resigned under a dark cloud, Mike Thornton won. It will strengthen Nick Clegg and it will embolden Lib Dems as the coalition dynamic evolves. But their share of the vote was down double digits. It was a tough scrap.
  • A victory in all but name for UKIP: The march of UKIP continues, Eastleigh was their best-ever election performance. They pushed hard on EU migration and an anti-establishment theme. They were the only ones to put on a significant number of votes. It's clear they are now the new "protest vote party". And don't ignore the fact they came close to winning.
  • Nightmare for the Tories: Pushed to third in a seat that was theirs not too long ago, their UKIP-like candidate was humiliated. This will lead to renewed talk about Cameron's leadership and his conservative credentials. Why has his offer of a referendum on Europe and increasingly tougher talk on EU migration and human rights not bought dividends in Eastleigh and hurt UKIP?
  • Long march ahead for Ed: Eastleigh showed that Labour kept its core but it didn't do any better. Ed Miliband's One Nation Labour didn't make inroads in this southern seat. And some will point to the fact the anti-government protest vote seemed to completely bypass Labour, in spite of its consistent sizable lead in national opinion polls?
For the Conservatives, Education Secretary Michael Gove said he was "deeply disappointed" by the result and suggested some people had voted for UKIP, rather than his party or the Lib Dems, to send a message to the government that "these are tough economic times and they are hurting".For the Conservatives, Education Secretary Michael Gove said he was "deeply disappointed" by the result and suggested some people had voted for UKIP, rather than his party or the Lib Dems, to send a message to the government that "these are tough economic times and they are hurting".
But he told the BBC that it would be wrong to move to the right to counter UKIP's challenge at the next general election, saying parties which changed policies in response to by-election defeats "smelled of inauthenticity".But he told the BBC that it would be wrong to move to the right to counter UKIP's challenge at the next general election, saying parties which changed policies in response to by-election defeats "smelled of inauthenticity".
For Labour, shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna said the party had increased its share of the vote "very slightly" but added: "This is not a target seat for us."For Labour, shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna said the party had increased its share of the vote "very slightly" but added: "This is not a target seat for us."
Turnout was 52.7%, down from 69.3% at the 2010 general election.Turnout was 52.7%, down from 69.3% at the 2010 general election.
Results in full: Results in full:
Mike Thornton (Liberal Democrat) 13,342 (32.06%, -14.48%)Mike Thornton (Liberal Democrat) 13,342 (32.06%, -14.48%)
Diane James (UKIP) 11,571 (27.80%, +24.20%)Diane James (UKIP) 11,571 (27.80%, +24.20%)
Maria Hutchings (Conservative) 10,559 (25.37%, -13.96%)Maria Hutchings (Conservative) 10,559 (25.37%, -13.96%)
John O'Farrell (Labour) 4,088 (9.82%, +0.22%)John O'Farrell (Labour) 4,088 (9.82%, +0.22%)
Danny Stupple (Independent) 768 (1.85%, +1.56%)Danny Stupple (Independent) 768 (1.85%, +1.56%)
Dr Iain Maclennan (National Health Action Party) 392 (0.94%)Dr Iain Maclennan (National Health Action Party) 392 (0.94%)
Ray Hall (Beer, Baccy and Crumpet Party) 235 (0.56%)Ray Hall (Beer, Baccy and Crumpet Party) 235 (0.56%)
Kevin Milburn (Christian Party) 163 (0.39%)Kevin Milburn (Christian Party) 163 (0.39%)
Howling Laud Hope (Monster Raving Loony Party) 136 (0.33%)Howling Laud Hope (Monster Raving Loony Party) 136 (0.33%)
Jim Duggan (Peace Party) 128 (0.31%)Jim Duggan (Peace Party) 128 (0.31%)
David Bishop (Elvis Loves Pets) 72 (0.17%)David Bishop (Elvis Loves Pets) 72 (0.17%)
Michael Walters (English Democrats) 70 (0.17%, -0.30%)Michael Walters (English Democrats) 70 (0.17%, -0.30%)
Daz Procter (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts) 62 (0.15%)Daz Procter (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts) 62 (0.15%)
Colin Bex (Wessex Regionalist) 30 (0.07%)Colin Bex (Wessex Regionalist) 30 (0.07%)