Victorious Ukip MP greets his constituents

  • Anglia
Douglas Carswell, the country's first elected Ukip MP Credit: ITV Anglia

Ukip's first elected MP has taken to the streets with his party leader to celebrate the party's historic victory in Clacton.

Douglas Carswell and Nigel Farage appeared in the seaside town for a walkabout this morning and were beseiged by the media.

Mr Carswell received 21,113 votes to secure the seat with a majority of 12,404, as he finished comfortably ahead of Conservative candidate Giles Watling.

The by-election in Clacton took place after Mr Carswell defected to Ukip from the Conservatives and resigned from his seat in August.

Turnout was 51.2% with 35,386 ballot papers counted, a decrease from the 64.2% turnout at the 2010 general election.

Douglas Carswell in Clacton the morning after his victory Credit: ITV Anglia
Douglas Carswell surrounded by a media scrum in Clacton Credit: ITV Anglia