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TORIES' BY-ELECTION BREXIT BOOST

Sleaford and North Hykeham by-election: Caroline Johnson retains seat for Conservatives while Ukip finish second

The by-election was triggered after Tory MP Stephen Phillips resigned in November

CONSERVATIVE DR Caroline Johnson has triumphed in the Sleaford & North Hykeham by-election and eased Tory fears of a Ukip takeover in the consituency.

The consultant paediatrician polled more than 17,570 votes to be elected the Lincolnshire constituency's new MP following the resignation of Stephen Phillips in November.

Conservative candidate Dr Caroline Johnson looks on as UKIP candidate Victoria Ayling, right, gives a speech at One NK in North Hykeham, Lincolnshire
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Conservative candidate Dr Caroline Johnson looks on as UKIP candidate Victoria Ayling, right, gives a speech at One NK in North Hykeham, LincolnshireCredit: PA:Press Association
Conservative candidate Dr Caroline Johnson and fellow candidate Paul Coyne
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Conservative candidate Dr Caroline Johnson and fellow candidate Paul CoyneCredit: PA:Press Association

Ukip's Victoria Ayling came second with 4,426 votes and the Lib Dems' Ross Pepper came third with 3,606 votes.

It was a disappointing night for Labour, whose candidate Jim Clarke finished fourth with 3,363 votes.

Voter turnout was 37.1 per cent, with a total of 32,893 votes cast and there was a swing of 0.24% from the Conservatives to Ukip when compared to 2015.

Conservative candidate Doctor Caroline Johnson stands on the stage as she is announced the winner of the parliamentary seat of Sleaford and North Hykeham
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Conservative candidate Doctor Caroline Johnson stands on the stage as she is announced the winner of the parliamentary seat of Sleaford and North HykehamCredit: Getty Images
UKIP candidate Victoria Ayling is embraced by the Monster Raving Loony Party candidate, The Iconic Arty-Pole
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UKIP candidate Victoria Ayling is embraced by the Monster Raving Loony Party candidate, The Iconic Arty-PoleCredit: Getty Images
Doctor Caroline Johnson is ushered away as media try to get her to answer questions after she won the parliamentary seat
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Doctor Caroline Johnson is ushered away as media try to get her to answer questions after she won the parliamentary seatCredit: Getty Images

Speaking after the result was announced, Dr Johnson said her presence at Westminster would bolster Theresa May's majority and support the Prime Minister on Brexit.

Ukip leader Paul Nuttall said: "It's a great result for us.

"If someone would have offered me second place at the beginning of the campaign, considering we were in the middle of a leadership election and the party resembled a bit of a shambles over the summer, I would have bitten their hand off.

Despite the Tory win, Ukip leader Paul Nuttall said: "It's a great result for us"
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Despite the Tory win, Ukip leader Paul Nuttall said: "It's a great result for us"Credit: Getty Images

"I think it's a really good way to get my leadership off the ground.

"This is a small step on a long road."

Ten candidates contested the seat where Tory MP Stephen Phillips resigned in November, citing "irreconcilable policy differences" with the government's approach to Brexit.

Ballot boxes arrive at the counting station after polls close
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Ballot boxes arrive at the counting station after polls closeCredit: Getty Images
Counting begins in the Lincolnshire contest
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Counting begins in the Lincolnshire contestCredit: PA:Press Association
Dr Johnson told voters the best way to guarantee a Brexit is by electing a Tory MP to bolster Theresa May's majority
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Dr Johnson told voters the best way to guarantee a Brexit is by electing a Tory MP to bolster Theresa May's majorityCredit: PA:Press Association
Johnson beat Ukip's Victoria Ayling - a former Conservative who stood for the Tories in Great Grimsby in 2010
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Johnson beat Ukip's Victoria Ayling - a former Conservative who stood for the Tories in Great Grimsby in 2010Credit: PA:Press Association

Dr Johnson had told voters in the Lincolnshire constituency that the best way to guarantee a Brexit is by electing a Tory MP to bolster Theresa May's majority.

The seat has returned Conservative MPs since it was formed in 1997, and Phillips had a majority of more than 24,000 votes in 2015.

Ukip campaigned hard in the Lincolnshire seat, an area which voted heavily to leave the European Union
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Ukip campaigned hard in the Lincolnshire seat, an area which voted heavily to leave the European UnionCredit: Getty Images
Nigel Farage and new leader Paul Nuttall canvassed voters and drummed up support for their candidate
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Nigel Farage and new leader Paul Nuttall canvassed voters and drummed up support for their candidateCredit: Getty Images
The by-election was triggered after Tory MP Stephen Phillips resigned in November over the government's approach to Brexit
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The by-election was triggered after Tory MP Stephen Phillips resigned in November over the government's approach to BrexitCredit: PA:Press Association

More than 60 per cent of constituents voted Leave in the June 23 referendum.

Sensing an opportunity, Ukip's former leader Nigel Farage and his successor Paul Nuttall went on the campaign trail in the constituency.

They canvassed potential voters and tried to drum up support for their candidate.

"I don't know, it's 2016, why predict anything?" Farage said during the visit.

"Only an idiot predicts things in 2016 because it's been so full of upsets."

The full list of candidates was:

  • The Iconic Arty-Pole - Monster Raving Loony Party
  • Victoria Ayling - Ukip
  • David Bishop - Bus-Pass Elvis Party
  • Jim Clarke - Labour
  • Paul Coyne - No description
  • Dr Caroline Johnson - Conservatives
  • Marianne Overton - Lincolnshire Independents
  • Ross Pepper - Liberal Democrats
  • Sarah Stock - Independent
  • Mark Suffield - No description
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