Clacton has re-elected rebel MP Douglas Carswell - making him UKIP’s first MP.

He wins with a majority of 12,404 - a 44% swing in votes. Turnout was 51%.

Mr Carswell receieved 21,113 votes, while second place Tory candidateGiles Watling polled 8,709.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats failed to reach 500 votes.

The by-election was caused by the defection of sitting MP Douglas Carswell from the Tories to UKIP.

In 2010, Mr Carswell was re-elected as Clacton MP for the Conservatives with a majority of 12,068.

Labour polled 25% of the vote in second place, with the Liberal Democrats third. UKIP did not stand as part of an agreement not to oppose the Euro-sceptic Mr Carswell.

Mr Southall, the only other candidate to stand four years ago, won 535 votes (1.2% share of the overall turnout).

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