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Eastleigh byelection: Clegg hails 'stunning' victory for Lib Dems Eastleigh byelection: Clegg hails 'stunning' victory for Lib Dems
(about 3 hours later)
The Liberal Democrats chose one of their iconic local projects for their victory speeches: the home of Hampshire county cricket club. Ukip opted for the more modest corner shop in the centre of Eastleigh that has become both their base and a focal point for much of the colour of this whirlwind of a byelection to celebrate their runner-up spot.
Nick Clegg was making his sixth visit to Hampshire. At the Aegeas Bowl as groundsmen prepared the cricket square and outfield for the new season, he began by thanking the people of Eastleigh for their patience. The Liberal Democrats chose one of their iconic local projects for their victory speeches: the home of Hampshire county cricket club. Ukip opted for the more modest cornershop in the centre of Eastleigh that has become their base and a focal point for much of the colour of this whirlwind of a byelection to celebrate their runnerup spot.
They could, he said, now take the tape off their post boxes because no more leaflets would be dropped through; they could answer their phone without worrying it was going to be a pollster. Nick Clegg was making his sixth visit to Hampshire. At the Aegeas Bowl, as groundsmen prepared the cricket square and outfield for the new season, he began by thanking the people of Eastleigh for their patience.
They could, he said, now take the tape off their postboxes because no more leaflets would be dropped through; they could answer their phone without worrying it was going to be a pollster.
Clegg said it had been a brilliantly fought campaign. "This has been a byelection we have had to fight in exceptionally difficult circumstances.Clegg said it had been a brilliantly fought campaign. "This has been a byelection we have had to fight in exceptionally difficult circumstances.
"Our opponents have thrown everything at us. We held our nerve, we stood our ground, we worked as a team ... We overcame the odds and won a stunning victory.""Our opponents have thrown everything at us. We held our nerve, we stood our ground, we worked as a team ... We overcame the odds and won a stunning victory."
The deputy prime minister said there was a simple message: "We can be a party of government and still win ... When we entered into coalition with the Conservatives our critics said we were going to lose our soul, lose our value, lose our identity, lose our ability to win. And last night we proved those critics are emphatically wrong." The deputy prime minister said there was a simple message: "We can be a party of government and still win ... When we entered into coalition with the Conservatives, our critics said we were going to lose our soul, lose our value, lose our identity, lose our ability to win. And last night we proved those critics are emphatically wrong."
Stranding beside the new MP, Mike Thornton, Clegg said the campaign had showed people how they could win by campaigning on both local and national issues — for instance cuts in council tax and in income tax; by encouraging new jobs with local projects (such as the Lib Dem controlled council's decision to buy the cricket stadium and build a new hotel overlooking it) and with national programmes like the drive to create more apprenticeships across the country. Stranding beside the new MP, Mike Thornton, Clegg said the campaign had showed people how they could win by campaigning on a mix of local and national issues – for instance, cuts in council tax and in income tax; by encouraging new jobs with local projects (such as the Lib Dem-controlled council's decision to buy the cricket stadium and build a new hotel overlooking it) and with national programmes such as the drive to create more apprenticeships across the country.
Local party bigwigs were thrilled. Keith House, the agent and architect of the campaign, said: "It was bruising. It really tested us but sometimes it's good to be tested. We've had every message, every policy properly tested and we've come out on top."Local party bigwigs were thrilled. Keith House, the agent and architect of the campaign, said: "It was bruising. It really tested us but sometimes it's good to be tested. We've had every message, every policy properly tested and we've come out on top."
Minutes later, in the Ukip town centre shop, leader Nigel Farage was just as upbeat. He said the party had "really connected" with voters. "That's because we're talking about issues the other parties would prefer to brush under the carpet."Minutes later, in the Ukip town centre shop, leader Nigel Farage was just as upbeat. He said the party had "really connected" with voters. "That's because we're talking about issues the other parties would prefer to brush under the carpet."
Farage did not try to contain his glee that Ukip's second place will have damaged David Cameron. He has not forgiven him for describing Ukip as "loonies". Farage did not try to contain his glee that Ukip's second place would have damaged David Cameron. He has not forgiven him for describing Ukip as "loonies".
"David Cameron is going to be cheesed off," said Farage. "Traditional Tory voters in this constituency don't believe he's a Conservative, that's why he's done badly." "David Cameron is going to be cheesed off," said Farage. "Traditional Tory voters in this constituency don't believe he's a Conservative; that's why he's done badly."
He is already dreaming of even greater success in the European elections. Farage is already dreaming of even greater success in the European elections: "It's my intention to lead this party into the European elections next year where I think we can cause a real earthquake. I think we can come first. My intention is to win those elections nationally." He warned Cameron: "Call a referendum before the next election or get wiped out."
"It's my intention to lead this party into the European elections next year where I think we can cause a real earthquake. I think we can come first. My intention is to win those elections nationally." He warned Cameron: "Call a referendum before the next election or get wiped out."