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Tories beat Labour in by-election Tories' poll triumph over Labour
(20 minutes later)
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.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. There was a swing from Labour to the Tories of 16.5% on a turnout of 45%.
Labour voters are thought to have deserted the party after the expulsion of popular ex MP Ian Gibson. The Lib Dems came third with 4,803, narrowly ahead of UKIP on 4,068 and the Greens on 3,350.
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. Labour's vote slumped from the 21,000 it got at the general election - amid anger at the effective expulsion of MP Ian Gibson over his expenses.
They have voted for change. And in doing so they have sent a message to Gordon Brown very loud and very clear Chloe Smith Profile: Chloe Smith
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".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. She also wished her Labour rival Mr Ostrowski a speedy recovery - he was hospitalised with suspected swine flu days earlier. His wife represented him at the count.
Ms Smith 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.""They have voted for change. And in doing so they have sent a message to Gordon Brown very loud and very clear."
Conservative swing
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.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 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.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.
Dr Gibson had won the seat with a majority of 5,459 at the 2005 general election. Friday's by-election result represents a swing of 16.5% from Labour to the Conservatives.
Shadow cabinet minister Theresa May told the BBC that, if repeated at a general election, it would mean a Conservative government with a majority of more than 100.
Voter turnout was 42.9% - less than the 61% who voted at the general election but about average for recent by-elections.
Labour had been playing down their chances. On Thursday former cabinet minister Geoff Hoon said it would be "pretty difficult" for Labour to win in the circumstances - which included anger at the way Dr Gibson was treated, the recession and expenses scandal.