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UKIP gains first elected MP with Clacton win UKIP gains first elected MP with Clacton win
(about 1 hour later)
The UK Independence Party has gained its first elected MP, with Douglas Carswell taking the seat of Clacton by 12,404 votes.The UK Independence Party has gained its first elected MP, with Douglas Carswell taking the seat of Clacton by 12,404 votes.
Mr Carswell, who defected from the Conservatives, knocked his old party - which enjoyed a 12,068 majority at the 2010 election - into second place.Mr Carswell, who defected from the Conservatives, knocked his old party - which enjoyed a 12,068 majority at the 2010 election - into second place.
He then told UKIP supporters there was "nothing that we cannot achieve".He then told UKIP supporters there was "nothing that we cannot achieve".
In the night's other by-election, Labour held on to Heywood and Middleton but UKIP slashed its majority to 617.In the night's other by-election, Labour held on to Heywood and Middleton but UKIP slashed its majority to 617.
Conservative Party Chairman Grant Shapps told BBC Breakfast the result in Clacton was a "wake-up call".
When Mr Carswell - a Tory MP since 2005 - switched party allegiance in August, he also resigned as an MP to trigger the by-election in the Essex seaside town.When Mr Carswell - a Tory MP since 2005 - switched party allegiance in August, he also resigned as an MP to trigger the by-election in the Essex seaside town.
'Stay true''Stay true'
In his acceptance speech Mr Carswell, who gained 21,113 votes (59.75%) on a 44% swing from the Conservatives, said: "I resigned from parliament to face this election because I answer first, foremost and last to you. You are my boss. I will not let you down. In his acceptance speech Mr Carswell, who gained 21,113 votes - 60% of the total - addressed the people of his constituency: "I resigned from parliament to face this election because I answer first, foremost and last to you. You are my boss. I will not let you down.
"To my new party I offer these thoughts: humility when we win, modesty when we are proved right. If we speak with passion, let it always be tempered by compassion. "To my new party I offer these thoughts: humility when we win, modesty when we are proved right. If we speak with passion, let it always be tempered by compassion."
"We must be a party for all Britain and all Britons: first and second generation as much as every other. Our strength must lie in our breadth. He also addressed the party's prospects on a wider front, saying "we must be a party for all Britain and all Britons: first and second generation as much as every other".
"If we stay true to that there is nothing that we cannot achieve. Nothing we cannot achieve in Essex and East Anglia, in England and the whole country beyond." "Our strength must lie in our breadth. If we stay true to that there is nothing that we cannot achieve. Nothing we cannot achieve in Essex and East Anglia, in England and the whole country beyond."
He condemned the other Westminster parties for operating "cosy cartel politics". His party leader, Nigel Farage, said: "Congratulations Douglas Carswell, a brave and honourable man who has a just reward." Mr Carswell condemned the other Westminster parties for operating "cosy cartel politics". His party leader, Nigel Farage, said: "Congratulations Douglas Carswell, a brave and honourable man who has a just reward."
In 2008, another Tory MP, Bob Spink, defected to UKIP but he did not resign and stand for election. For the Conservatives, Mr Shapps said that while UKIP were a threat to all the Westminster parties, they "cost Conservatives seats", saying it put Labour leader Ed Miliband "one step closer to Downing Street".
Michael Dugher, Labour's vice-chairman, said his party would continue to "expose UKIP for what they are".
"We will take them on in our areas", he said.
Mr Dugher said UKIP had inflicted a "humiliating defeat for David Cameron" in Clacton.
Analysis by Chris Mason, BBC political correspondent
If Clacton provided the headline, Heywood and Middleton provided the surprise: UKIP nearly won there too. Little wonder party leader Nigel Farage was on the champagne in the pub afterwards.
The faces of Tory activists in Clacton said it all. Imagine how you'd feel if you had to listen to the victory speech of a former colleague who walked out on you and then gave you a walloping to boot.
Read more from Chris
Mr Carswell is the first MP to be elected under their banner although it did have one MP for two years after 2008 after another Tory MP, Bob Spink, defected to them.
In Clacton, Conservative candidate Giles Watling got 8,709 votes (24.6%). Labour's Tim Young got 3,957 (11.20%) and the Green Party's Chris Southall 688 (1.95%). Andy Graham of the Liberal Democrats came fifth with 483 votes (1.37%). Turnout was 51%.In Clacton, Conservative candidate Giles Watling got 8,709 votes (24.6%). Labour's Tim Young got 3,957 (11.20%) and the Green Party's Chris Southall 688 (1.95%). Andy Graham of the Liberal Democrats came fifth with 483 votes (1.37%). Turnout was 51%.
Labour 'in trouble'Labour 'in trouble'
Mr Watling said: "I intend to stand here next May at the general election when this country will face a clear choice of who they want to be the leader - David Cameron or Ed Miliband." Mr Watling, one of the stars of the old BBC sitcom Bread, said: "I intend to stand here next May at the general election when this country will face a clear choice of who they want to be the leader - David Cameron or Ed Miliband."
It had also looked at one point that UKIP could have been celebrating a double success with the result in the Greater Manchester constituency of Heywood and Middleton - held comfortably by Labour since its creation in 1983 - deemed close enough to warrant a "bundle check" of votes.It had also looked at one point that UKIP could have been celebrating a double success with the result in the Greater Manchester constituency of Heywood and Middleton - held comfortably by Labour since its creation in 1983 - deemed close enough to warrant a "bundle check" of votes.
But in the end, Labour's Liz McInnes got 11,633 votes (41%), with UKIP's John Bickley gaining 11,016 (39%). Conservative Iain Gartside came third with 3,496 votes (12%) and Liberal Democrat Anthony Smith fourth with 1,457 (5%). Abi Jackson of the Green Party got 870 votes (3%). The swing from Labour to UKIP was 18%, with a 36% turnout. But in the end, with a 36% turnout, Labour's Liz McInnes got 11,633 votes - 41% - with UKIP's John Bickley gaining 11,016 - 39%.
Ms McInnes told the BBC: "I'm going to work damn hard in this constituency. People here will have an MP who is going to fight for their interests." Conservative Iain Gartside came third with 3,496 votes - 12% - and Liberal Democrat Anthony Smith fourth with 1,457 - 5%. Abi Jackson of the Green Party got 870 votes - 3% of the total.
But Mr Bickley said: "Labour are in big trouble. This should have been a safe seat. They have thrown everything at it and they have only just scraped home." Labour's newest MP, Ms McInnes, told the BBC: "I'm going to work damn hard in this constituency. People here will have an MP who is going to fight for their interests."
But Mr Bickley said: "Labour are in big trouble. This should have been a safe seat. They have thrown everything at it and they have only just scraped home."
'Very different election''Very different election'
Elections expert Professor John Curtice of Strathclyde University said: "We have to accept that the battle in England for May 2015 is not going to be a battle between simply three parties; it's going to be a battle between at least four parties.Elections expert Professor John Curtice of Strathclyde University said: "We have to accept that the battle in England for May 2015 is not going to be a battle between simply three parties; it's going to be a battle between at least four parties.
"And bear in mind that also, according to some of the opinion polls, the Greens are running at 5% or 6% as well. We are looking at a very different kind of electoral competition in England from anything we have previously experienced in post-war elections.""And bear in mind that also, according to some of the opinion polls, the Greens are running at 5% or 6% as well. We are looking at a very different kind of electoral competition in England from anything we have previously experienced in post-war elections."
The Heywood and Middleton contest was prompted by the death of long-serving Labour MP Jim Dobbin last month. His majority at the last general election was 5,971.The Heywood and Middleton contest was prompted by the death of long-serving Labour MP Jim Dobbin last month. His majority at the last general election was 5,971.
Another by-election is due to take place next month in Rochester and Strood, Kent, following the resignation of Mark Reckless who, like Mr Carswell, defected from the Conservatives to UKIP. Mr Reckless is also running for re-election. Another by-election is due to take place next month in Rochester and Strood, Kent, following the resignation of Mark Reckless who, like Mr Carswell, defected from the Conservatives to UKIP.