Labour's Mike Kane has won the Wythenshawe and Sale East by-election.

UKIP polled second, taking a sizeable 17.9pc of the vote – narrowly pushing the Tories into third place.

The seat's new MP said he would fight for a 'fair deal' for the constituency, particularly over its ailing A&E department.

Labour's hold comes after the death of well-loved MP Paul Goggins last month sparked the snap poll.

The party's majority increased by 1385.

UKIP's fortunes had been closely watched in Westminster ahead of the European and local elections in May, with the party openly using the poll as a testing ground.

However their lead over the Tories was not as large as some had expected, with the anti-EU party only just pipping them to second place by 862 votes.

The Liberal Democrats came in fourth with less than 5pc share, meaning they lost their deposit.

Mr Kane, a long-standing Labour activist, former Northenden councillor and one-time aide to ex-minister James Purnell, said he had won the poll by talking about issues that 'matter' in the constituency.

He added: "I will be an MP speaking out on the issues that matter to you – fighting for a fair deal for Wythenshawe A&E; exposing the cost-of-living crisis felt by families and pensioners across our area and beyond.

“And on the unfair and disproportionate cuts to local services – Wythenshawe and Sale has said tonight: enough is enough."

He said the city had rejected 'out-of-touch' Tory policies, claiming that trend would be carried through to the general election next year.

Mr Kane added: "Almost 200 years ago Benjamin Disraeli stood on a spot across the road from here and spoke of One Nation – and he said 'What Manchester does today, the world does tomorrow.'

“Well, Manchester has rejected David Cameron today...and the rest of Britain will tomorrow."

Nigel Farage said he had two points to make: "One is the by-election, we've done well, massive progress for us delighted, safe Labour seat. No surprise at the result. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night is the Lib Dems doing so badly.

"My second point is we're a party that is all about British democracy, we also want free fair and open elections.

"Not that it was intended to – it has reduced by-elections frankly to farces, half the votes weren't decided on February13th, they were decided two or three weeks ago.

"I'm a reformer."

Turnout decreased to 28.2pc from 54.3pc at the 2010 general election.

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