The anti-EU and anti-immigrant
United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) on Thursday won its
first seat in the British parliament.
Douglas Carswell, a defector from the Conservative Party,
took the seat of Clacton by 12,404 votes.
Carswell knocked his old party - which enjoyed a 12,068
majority at the 2010 election - into second place.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage said he had "shaken up British
politics".
Farage said UKIP could hold the balance of power after
next year's general election.
He said UKIP's second place in the northern seat of
Heywood and Middleton was "even more significant" than its win
in Clacton, saying the party was now the main opposition to
Labour in northern cities.
"Something big is happening here. People want change, they
have had enough of career politicians in three parties," Farage
said.
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