Lib Dems win at Eastleigh

Here's our Political Editor Phil Hornby on the by-election battle's day and night.

He speaks to Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, UKIP leader Nigel Farage, George Hollingbery, Conservative MP for Meon Valley, John Denham, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, and Mike Thornton, Lib Dem MP for Eastleigh.

So, how did the people of Eastleigh feel when they woke up to the news this morning? Andrew Pate reports.

The borough of Eastleigh is returning to normal this lunchtime after three weeks of intensive campaigning. The Liberal Democrats have retained the seat, which became available when Chris Huhne resigned.

While UKIP had their best ever showing coming in second, ahead of the Conservatives. Andrew Pate has more.

The Labour backbencher Austin Mitchell has described Labour finishing fourth in the Eastleigh by-election "a disaster":

Read more: Labour Eastleigh candidate called a "loser" by his wife

The Conservative MP Conor Burns appears to blame local councillors rather than the central party leadership for the party's poor performance in the Eastleigh by-election:

Watch: Conservative candidate Maria Hutchings ignores reporters' questions

UKIP leader Nigel Farage has told a press conference that "never again" will people say voting for the party is a wasted vote, following the Eastleigh by-election where the party finished second.

He added that he intended to capitalise on the "tremor" UKIP had created in Eastleigh and turn it into a "national political earthquake" at the European elections next year.

The Labour party candidate John O'Farrell has tweeted on the morning after his defeat in the Eastleigh by election.