Eastleigh by-election: New MP Mike Thornton on his win

The Liberal Democrats won the Eastleigh by-election because of their "superb record of delivery" claimed Mike Thornton who topped the poll.

Giving his first interview after his win to the BBC, he told Andrew Neil that the coalition was a "necessary business partnership".

Mr Thornton, a local councillor, received 13,342 votes, with a 19.3% swing from his party to UKIP.

And Conservatives dropped from second to third place, although the party was initially seen to lead the opinion polls at the start of the campaign, triggered by the resignation of Chris Huhne.