Sleaford and North Hykeham by-election updates LIVE: Tories hold as Labour crash and burn
THE CONSERVATIVE party swept to a comfortable victory in the Sleaford and North Hykeham by-election as Ukip came second on a terrible night for the Labour party.
Conservatives win Sleaford and North Hykeham by-election
KEY POINTS
- Conservative Dr Caroline Johnson wins Sleaford and North Hykeham comfortably
- The Tory received 17,517 in a dominant and predictable victory
- Lincolnshire county councillor Victoria Ayling finishes second in good night for Ukip
- More than 60 per cent of constituents voted Leave in last summer’s EU referendum
- Labour finish fourth in major blow to the disjointed party
- The by-election was triggered when Tory MP Stephen Phillips stepped down due to “very significant policy differences” with Theresa May’s government after backing Brexit in June
Victoria Ayling is aiming to secure a surprise Ukip victory today
03.54AM UPDATE
UKIP share of vote actually went down on the 2015 figure (15.7 per cent).
03.44AM UPDATE
Mrs Ayling added: “I’m grateful to the people of Seaford and North for voting Ukip second place. This is a great honour as more people are trusting us to deliver.”
03.25AM UPDATE
Classification, a huge victory for the Tories
CON: 17517
UKIP: 4426
LAB: 3363
LD: 3606
LI: 2892
The turnout was 37 per cent in the Tory heartland
CONSERVATIVES HOLD SEAT AND UKIP SECOND
3.00AM UPDATE
Early reports from fron the election count suggest the Tories have won, with Ukip coming second and Labour and the Liberal Democrats currently battling for third place.
02.00AM UPDATE
Paul Nuttall has now arrived at the count.
Mr Nuttall appears to have conceded defeat for Ukip, claiming the party has come second, but that the election was “neck and neck”.
He says he would be "delighted with 2nd place".
01.55AM UPDATE
Tonight is looking like a horror show for Labour with reports suggesting they could finish as low as fifth. Meanwhile Ukip are still in the hunt to poll second, with reports suggesting the Tories running away with the Brexit-supporting seat.
Dr Johnson looked happy as comfortably won the seat
01.10AM UPDATE
Vote counting is still onoing but early projections suggest the Conservatives look to have held onto the Sleaford and North Hykeham seat with the Lib Dems and Ukip candidates vying for second place.
Some are predicting Labour could come fourth in the by-election, a huge drop after coming second in last year's general election.
11.30PM UPDATE
Voter turnout is estimated to have been 37.1 per cent, with 32,893 votes cast, according to reports.
10.45PM UPDATE
The count has now begun although don't get excited just yet - the result is not expected until between 2am and 4am.
Paul Nuttall appears to have conceded defeat at the by-election
Ukip candidate Victoria Ayling arrives at count
10.20PM UPDATE
Ten candidates competed in today’s by-election. Along with the Tory, Ukip, Labour and Lib Dem candidate, there were also candidates for the Monster Raving Loony Party, the Bus-Pass Elvis Party and the Lincolnshire Independents Party.
There were also three independent candidates, including Sarah Stock, who the Green Party chose to support rather than put forward their own candidate. She ran on a 'Save the NHS' ballot.
10.10PM UPDATE
Tory candidate Dr Caroline Johnson has taken to Twitter to thank her supporters.
She said: "Polls have now closed. Big thank you to all volunteers and local residents across Sleaford and North Hykeham for the fantastic support."
UKIP leader Paul Nuttall arrives at Sleaford by-election
Nuttall: Ayling will be an independent voice for Sleaford
10.00PM UPDATE
Polls are now CLOSED. Those already in the queue outside polling stations will still be allowed to vote.
As voting ended, the bookmakers had the Tories as firm favourites at 1/12. UKIP are at 7/1.
9.00PM UPDATE
There is just one hour left of voting before polling stations close.
7.30PM UPDATE
There are now just two and a half hours left until the polls close.
Ms Ayling is aiming to secure a shock victory today
7.15PM UPDATE
Ms Ayling laughed off a campaign gaffe earlier, after eagle-eyed supporters noticed her campaign posters included an errant 'n' in her constituency's name.
She Tweeted: "We have had many residents wanting selfies in front of it!! Yes a bit of a howler but taken in good spirit!"
6.25PM UPDATE
Polls opened this morning at 7am and will close at 10pm. The result is expected at 4am tomorrow morning, although this is subject to change.
The weather today has been cloudy but dry, which should help boost turnout.
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