BY-ELECTION: Labour celebrating, UKIP buoyant, BNP angry, Tories despondent

New Rotherham MP Sarah Champion (@sarah4rotherham), who retained the seat for Labour with a 5,218 majority, tweeted after her win: “Thank you to the people of the great town of #Rotherham for electing me, tomorrow I start dealing with the many issues you’ve raised.”

UKIP was celebrating after its candidate Jane Ms Collins, who doubled UKIP’s 2010 vote to take second place with 4,648 votes.

UKIP party leader Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) tweeted: “Whichever way you look at it UKIP is on the rise and in South Yorkshire we are strong and active.”

The British National Party came third in the poll with 1,804 votes, but candidate Marlene Guest was scathing about the voters.

She described the turn-out as appalling and said: “I'm angry. They say they will support but just stop home and watch I'm A Celeb.”

Respect’s Yvonne Ridley (@yvonneridley) tweeted: “#respect salutes all it's supporters, voters & backers. We are here to stay in #Rotherham.”

The Tories were left disappointed, candidate Simon Wilson came fourth with 1,157 votes:  John Gilding, Tory group leader on Rotherham council commented: "Scary to see these other parties emerge, but some people won't vote Tory, that's what we're up against."

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Full by-election result.

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