Ukip gains again as Tories slump in latest by-elections

(PA)

The UK Independence Party (Ukip) continued its winning streak after last week's county polls, taking a seat from the Tories in the latest council by-elections and coming second in two Labour ones.

The Conservatives also trailed Labour by a huge 20.1 per cent in a nationwide projected lead based on all four contests.

Rozanne Duncan took her party from nowhere to gain at Cliftonville East in Thanet District.

Ukip had won a Kent county seat in the much larger Ramsgate and Cliftonville division last week.

Labour won landslides in Longbridge, Barking and Dagenham Borough in east London, and Alexandra in Oldham Borough.

The Tory vote collapsed at Alexandra from second place last May to fourth with just 80 votes.

Conservatives returned councillors in Longbridge only 11 years ago.

They did however manage a big swing from Labour in Leicester's Abbey ward.

In the three wards it fought, Ukip averaged 26.2 per cent - up on 23 per cent calculated in a BBC survey of last week's polls.

RESULTS:

Barking and Dagenham London Borough - Longbridge: Lab 1555, Ukip 466, C 284, Lib Dem 78, and BNP 37. (May 2010 - Three seats Lab 3292, 2900, 2559, Lib Dem 1239, C 1221, 1109, BNP 677, Ind 452, 388, Ukip 383, Ind 369, C 316, Ind 167). Lab hold. Swing 3.1 per cent Ukip to Lab.

Leicester City - Abbey: Lab 1190, C 562, Ind 352, Lib Dem 212, Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts 165. (May 2011 - Three seats Lab 1579, 1542, 1511, Liberal 479, C 456, 422, Liberal 392, 353, C 333, Ukip 301, 287, 207, Lib Dem 230, 185, 168). Lab hold. Swing 7.5 per cent Lab to C.

Oldham Borough - Alexandra: Lab 1553, Ukip 412, Lib Dem 96, C 80, Green 55. (Lab 1100, C 826, Lib Dem 447). Lab hold. Swing 27.7 per cent C to Lab.

Thanet District - Cliftonville East: Ukip 699, C 526, Lab 352, Ind 112, Lib Dem 32. (May 2011 - Three seats C 1187, 1165, 1155, Ind 601, 598, Lab 515, 490, 456, Green 283). Ukip gain from C. Swing 8.3 per cent C to Lab).