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| UKIP gains first elected MP with Clacton win | UKIP gains first elected MP with Clacton win |
| (35 minutes 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. | |
| 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 (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. |
| "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. | "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. |
| "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." | "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." | 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." |
| In 2008, another Tory MP, Bob Spink, defected to UKIP but he did not resign and stand for election. | In 2008, another Tory MP, Bob Spink, defected to UKIP but he did not resign and stand for election. |
| 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 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." |
| A "bundle check" of votes took place in Heywood and Middleton after the initial count, because of the closeness of the result in the seat, which has been held by Labour since its creation in 1983. | A "bundle check" of votes took place in Heywood and Middleton after the initial count, because of the closeness of the result in the seat, which has been held by Labour since its creation in 1983. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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." | 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." | 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. Mr Reckless is also running for re-election. |