Lib Dems win Eastleigh by-election (From Halstead Gazette)
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Lib Dems win Eastleigh by-election
2:31am Friday 1st March 2013 in National News © Press Association 2013
Counting gets under way after polls closed in the Eastleigh by-election
The Liberal Democrats have won the Eastleigh by-election, with the Conservatives pushed into third place by a late surge from the UK Independence Party.
Local councillor Michael Thornton held on to the seat vacated by disgraced ex-Cabinet minister Chris Huhne - polling 13,342 votes.
Ukip's candidate Diane James was second on 11,571 - more than 1,000 ahead of Tory Maria Hutchings (10,559) in a severe blow to Prime Minister David Cameron.
