Eastleigh By-Election: Lib Dems Triumph

The Liberal Democrats have won a key by-election in Eastleigh, where the Tories were pushed into third place by UKIP.

Local councillor Mike Thornton held the seat vacated by disgraced Cabinet minister Chris Huhne despite a torrid week for his party.

At 1,771, the Lib Dem majority was more than half that achieved by Mr Huhne in 2010 but the victory will be seen as a major boost.

Nick Clegg promptly claimed that the party was "on track for 2015".

For David Cameron, the result is a severe blow with the Conservatives' third place coming despite major campaigning by top Tories.

UKIP's strong showing will increase tensions on the Tory backbenches, and fuel fears about a general election drubbing in 2015.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage with Diane James who came second

The eurosceptic party's candidate Diane James won 11,571 votes - an increase of almost 10,000 on the party's showing in 2010.

Mr Thornton won with 13,342, with Tory Maria Hutchings in third on 10,559.

Labour's John O'Farrell polled 4,088, more than 1,000 down on 2010, in what was also a disappointing performance for the Opposition.

Mr Thornton said in his acceptance speech that the result represented a "great night" for his party nationally.

"A strong signal of support for (leader and Deputy Prime Minister) Nick Clegg, an affirmation of our role of national interest within the coalition and a huge boost to our party's mission in government to build a stronger economy in a fairer society so that everyone can get on in life," he said.

Disappointed Tory candidate Maria Hutchings

He said it showed those who had "written off" the Lib Dems had been proved wrong, adding: "We have done it and we will do it again."

Ms James hailed her second place as "a humongous political shock" that represented a "seismic shift" in British politics.

And Mrs Hutchings appeared to be fighting back tears as she thanked opponents for a "clean campaign".

A by-election was called in the Hampshire constituency following the resignation of disgraced Lib Dem MP Chris Huhne.

The Lib Dem majority was more than halved compared to that secured by Huhne in 2010 - from 3,864 to 1,771.

But the result comes after influential Tory backbencher David Davis warned the Prime Minister that third place would represent a "crisis" for the party.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage welcomed the result, saying: "On the day I think we won it but we could not catch up with the deficit in postal votes. In a short space of time we have created a massive surge."

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