Once called ‘fruitcakes” by David Cameron, the UKIP wins its first eelction.Former Tory MP Douglas Carswell becomes the first UKIP candidate to be elected to the House of Commons.
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.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage said he had “shaken up British politics”.
In the night’s other by-election, Labour held on to Heywood and Middleton but UKIP slashed its majority to 617.
Mr Farage told BBC Breakfast UKIP could hold the balance of power after next year’s general election.
He said UKIP’s second place in Heywood and Middleton was “even more significant” than its win in Clacton, saying the party was now the main opposition to Labour in northern cities.
“Something big is happening here. People want change, they have had enough of career politicians in three parties.”
