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Tories beat Labour in by-election Tories beat Labour in by-election
(21 minutes later)
The Conservatives have won the Norwich North by-election with a majority of more than 7,000. The Tories have taken Norwich North from Labour with a majority of more than 7,000, in the first Westminster by-election since the MPs expenses row.
Tory candidate Chloe Smith won with 13,591 - more than twice as many votes as the Labour candidate Chris Ostrowski who had 6,243 votes.Tory candidate Chloe Smith won with 13,591 - more than twice as many votes as the Labour candidate Chris Ostrowski who had 6,243 votes.
The Lib Dems came third with 4,803, narrowly ahead of UKIP on 4,068.The Lib Dems came third with 4,803, narrowly ahead of UKIP on 4,068.
The former MP, Labour's Ian Gibson, quit when the party barred him from standing at the next general election over his expenses claims. Labour voters are thought to have deserted the party after the expulsion of popular ex MP Ian Gibson.
It was the first Westminster election since the MPs' expenses furore. He had been supported by his local party who felt he had been unfairly singled out and decided to quit immediately, forcing the by-election.
Ms Smith, who at 27 will be the youngest MP in the House of Commons, paid tribute to Dr Gibson in her victory speech saying she hoped to serve the voters "with the same honesty and conviction".
She said the result sent a signal to Downing Street: "The people of Norwich North have rejected the old politics of personal attacks, of bickering, of smears and scare stories.
"They have voted for change. And in doing so they have sent a message to Gordon Brown very loud and very clear."
BBC political correspondent Carole Walker said it was a "convincing majority", much more than many in the Conservative camp expected and was a "serious blow" for Labour.
The result will also be a disappointment for the Greens, who are the main opposition on the local council but were pushed into fifth place behind UKIP, with 3,350 votes.
The Conservatives had put a lot of effort into the by-election. Party leader David Cameron paid six visits and many members of the shadow cabinet had been to Norwich North to campaign.