Eastleigh reactions – Media and blog roundup: March 1st 2013

“DAVID Cameron was humiliated early this morning as the Conservatives came in a shock THIRD behind UKIP in the pivotal Eastleigh by-election. Tory backbenchers are seething at the party’s failure to take shamed Chris Huhne’s constituency from the Lib Dems – a key target for them in the 2015 general election. And they will be staggered that anti-EU UKIP edged ahead of them into second, claiming more than a thousand more votes than the Conservative candidate Maria Hutchings. UKIP candidate Diane James said: ”I may have come second this evening but you, Eastleigh voters, have delivered one humongous political shock”.” – The Sun

“Southern electors deserve an alternative to the coalition parties. The Conservatives and Lib Dems are perceived as economically prudent but harsh and unfair. Labour is viewed as caring but lacking the resolve to be a party of government. The voters deserve a governing party which ensures that even in tough times, economic efficiency and social justice go hand in hand.” – Patrick Diamond, Guardian

“David Cameron was handed a humiliating defeat in the pivotal Eastleigh by-election in the early hours of this morning as the Lib Dems took victory and a resurgent UKIP pushed the Tories into a dismal third place.” – The Times