Eastleigh By-Election Humiliates David Cameron as Liberal Democrats Retain Seat

HT: The Daily Mail and The Independent 

According to reports from British media, Prime Minister David Cameron was delivered a humiliating defeat in yesterday's by-election in the South Coast seat of Eastleigh, as the Liberal Democrats were able to claim victory despite a scandal that forced their previous member of parliament to resign, while the Conservatives placed third behind the insurgent UKIP.

The results are devastating:

Mike Thornton, Liberal Democrat - 13,342
Diane James, UK Independence - 11,571
Maria Hutchings, Conservative - 10,559
John O'Farrell, Labour - 4,088

Not only because the Conservatives have identified this seat as a must win in the next parliamentary election to gain an absolute majority, but because UKIP increased their vote share from 3.6% last election to 27.8% in virtually a special election where turnout was historically higher then in most by-elections.

As euro-skepticism increases in Great Britain, and voters continue to remain anxious about entangling with Europe's risky economic union, UKIP has the potential to play spoiler in the next election, and I guarantee Prime Minister Cameron does not want to deal with that, as with Labour all but down and out and Liberal Democrats not doing so hot themselves, this is a perfect opportunity for throwing off their coalition and for the first time in nearly two decades, running parliament without hindrance.

And in order to complete that objective, Conservatives need to not lose 14% of their previous vote share and place behind UKIP in a must-win seat.

What say you?