Essex elects first UKIP MP

The UK Independence Party's first elected MP has compared the Conservative party to HMV music stores, describing it as "defunct".

"It's a little bit like HMV music. Once ubiquitous when it came to buying music. The way the Tory party is retailing politics is like the way HMV retailed music - it is a defunct retail model," Douglas Carswell told the BBC's Andrew Marr show.

Carswell, who won the Clacton by-election with a huge majority last week, said he argued that "we needed to Spotify" the Tory Party, but found too much opposition to change.

He also played own suggestions Ukip could gain 25 MPs at the next election, saying: "Let's keep a sense of perspective....I don't like bravado talk and Ia'm not going to use it."

Carswell he was hopeful fellow Tory defector Mark Reckless would win the upcoming by-election in Rochester, saying a win would show that British politics is becoming "fundamentally different".

UKIP has accused the Westminster parties of running a smear campaign against them and has ruled out entering into any form of election pact with the Conservatives. It comes as Nigel Farage and newly elected MP Douglas Carswell hit the campaign trail in Rochester and Strood in the fight to rally support for Tory defector Mark Reckless.

Addressing supporters in the Kent constituency, Mr Farage said the party was "targeting everybody in this campaign". He said: "Let's make the people's army of Ukip march on Rochester and Strood."

UKIP supporters from across the South East flooded the Rochester and Strood constituency as the campaign to get Mr Reckless into parliament got underway.

The date for the vote is yet to be set.

Some Conservative MPs have taken to Twitter to congratulate their former colleague Douglas Carswell on his win at the Clacton byelection:

Newly-elected Ukip MP Douglas Carswell has said he will "never be the leader of the UK Independence Party".

Asked if his victory speech last night was a bid for leadership, Carswell said, "I am not the leader of the UK Independence Party, I never will be the leader of the UK Independence Party".

Carswell was speaking during a visit to his Clacton constituency with Nigel Farage.

Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps has said the Clacton byelection result "shows if you vote Labour you get Ukip.

Shapps told Good Morning Britain the UK "will face a massive choice" at the General Election next year.

"It's the most significant General Election for generations," he added.

Ukip's win in Clacton and massive boost in support in the Heywood and Middleton byelection is "a wake up call" to the Tories, Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps said.

He told Good Morning Britain that Ukip had taken votes from all parties, but had "cost Conservatives seats in Parliament," putting Ed Miliband closer to Number 10.