Clacton Result Sparks Fears In Marginal Seats

By Nick Martin, North of England Correspondent

UKIP's success in the Clacton by-election has worried the traditional parties in one of the biggest battlegrounds of the next General Election.

The leafy Tory seat of Warrington South has a reputation for being a political bellwether, having voted for the winning party in every election with the exception of one.

But the rise of Nigel Farage has the candidates in the Cheshire seat fearing a result may be even closer.

The current Conservative MP, David Mowat, accepts that UKIP could pull vital votes away from him in May 2015.

Tory MP David Mowat talking to Sky News

"The electorate gave a message to the political classes that they need to be listened to and I agree with that," he said.

"But I don't think UKIP would regard this as one of their target seats - they could do damage here and that could have unintended consequences."

Video: 'We're After You': UKIP Claims

The "unintended consequences", say the Conservatives, are that a vote for UKIP could allow Labour to make gains.

The Labour candidate, Nick Bent, is hopeful: "The rise of UKIP does worry me," he told Sky News.

"I am worried that there are still an awful lot of people floating along with UKIP. I think they will take more votes away from the Conservatives than they will from Labour and that could help us."

Video: What Does UKIP's Win Mean For 2015?

In the Mulberry Arms, UKIP's James Ashington - a lifelong Conservative councillor until he defected some years ago - sips from a small brandy glass and smiles.

"The idea that we're taking votes only from Conservatives is nonsense. We're taking large number of votes from Labour, too, and I think the same will happen in May," he said.

"I am not sure whether we will win here but I think we will do some damage to the other parties.

Video: Carswell High Fives 'Earth Angel'

"People have very real concerns about jobs, immigration and the traditional parties."

Video: Nigel Farage: UKIP Is On A Roll

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UKIP Rules Out Pre-Election Pact With Tories

UKIP leader Nigel Farage has told Sky News he will not consider a deal with the Tories to work against Labour during next year's General Election.

Mr Farage was speaking as he and UKIP's first elected MP arrived in Rochester and Strood in an attempt to capitalise on the party's by-election success on Thursday.

The defection of Mark Reckless from the Conservatives to UKIP gives the anti-Europe party another chance to secure a second Westminster seat before the election in May.

A survey last week gave Mr Reckless a nine-point lead over the Conservative challenger, putting David Cameron under pressure from some backbenchers to consider a deal with UKIP.

Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg had been among those who has been arguing the two parties should work together to defeat Labour.

Video: What Does UKIP's Win Mean For 2015?

He told The Times: "We should think about what that means in terms of the UKIP-Conservative relationship because the Conservative family could win a majority on that basis.

"Otherwise, the only thing we manage is mutually assured destruction."

But when asked if he would consider a pre-election pact, Mr Farage told Sky News: "This party is not a splinter of a Conservative party. This party is its own organic force.

"This party and these people, we want to win our own representation in Westminster and we believe that only by doing that can we fundamentally change British politics.

"To sell out so that one or two people can have  a ministerial position is not what this party's about.

Video: 'UKIP Vote Risks Labour Government'

"I don't trust David Cameron. I don't believe a word David Cameron says. And for that reason it would be fruitless to even enter into any negotiation. It's not going to happen."

Mr Reckless, however, would not be drawn on the issue, saying: "I'm not discussing or supporting pacts."

"UKIP are the agents of change – we're going to shake-up that cosy cartel in Westminster," he added.

The UKIP candidate received a warm welcome on Saturday, a marked contrats to shortly after his defection when he was forced to cancel a walkabout due to the negative reception.

Party volunteers spoken to by Sky's Rachel Amatt had come from as far away as Staffordshire to support Mr Reckless.

Video: Questions Remain Over Ed Miliband

Volunteers were preparing to leaflet each one of the constituency's 40,000 homes during the day.

Earlier, Mr Carswell hit out at what he described as an "aggressive smear campaign" against Mr Reckless, who he described as "one of the most decent and honourable people I have ever met in politics".

"He didn't have to face this by-election. He didn't have to resign and seek permission from the voters. He did so because he believed it's the only honourable thing to do.

"In response to that, the big corporate party machines in Westminster have run a highly personal aggressive smear campaign. That's what's wrong with our politics."

The date of the by-election in the Kent constituency is still to be set.

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Johnson Warns Of 'Thousands Of Terror Suspects'

London Mayor Boris Johnson has revealed that thousands of terror suspects are being spied on every day by UK security services.

He said the number of suspects in London alone is said to be in the "low thousands", suggesting the threat from home-grown terrorism may be far more widespread than that from Syria or Iraq.

Mr Johnson told the Daily Telegraph: "In London we're very very vigilant and very very concerned. Every day - as you saw recently, we had to raise the threat level - every day the security services are involved in thousands of operations.

"There are probably in the low thousands of people that we are monitoring in London."

Until now the main threat was thought to come from about 500 suspected jihadists who went to Syria or Iraq from the UK to join Islamic State militants.

Video: Arrests May Have Foiled Terror Plot

Speaking about IS, Mr Johnson said: "London has a particular concern, because probably of the five or six hundred that are out there, we think a third, maybe more - maybe half - come from the London area.

"If and when they come back, we have a real job to deal with them."

It comes as police chiefs also issued a warning to officers to increase vigilance in the face of a heightened terror threat for officers and five men were being held by Scotland Yard suspected of plotting a potentially "significant" attack on the UK.

Video: Nick Clegg On Terror Threat

Meanwhile, in an interview with the same newspaper, Iain Lobban, director of intelligence agency GCHQ, hinted it now took three times longer to trace terrorists online in the wake of disclosures made by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden.

And he said sharing intelligence with a greater number of nations was necessary.

"It's nonsense not to share with the French. This is not Blitz Britain. We sure as hell can't lick terrorism on our own," Mr Lobban said.

Video: British Girl Heads To Islamic State

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Ebola Exercise To Test Britain's Readiness

A national exercise is being held to test Britain's readiness for an ebola outbreak, with actors simulating symptoms of the deadly virus.

Government ministers will join dozens of medical professionals, some of whom will wear protective equipment, for the eight-hour drill in locations across the country.

A simulated meeting of the Government's COBRA emergency committee will also be held, chaired by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Meanwhile, aid ship RFA Argus, which is to be sent to Sierra Leone next week to help fight the outbreak, has arrived in Falmouth, Cornwall, to be loaded with medical supplies before being deployed to West Africa.

It will carry three Merlin helicopters, aircrew and engineers to provide transport and support to medical teams and aid workers there.

The exercise was ordered by David Cameron as part of the UK's contingency plan against ebola, which has killed more than 4,000 people in West Africa.

Video: Hospital Staff Throw Gloves At PM

It comes after the Prime Minister was forced to defend the decision to introduce enhanced screening for the virus at major points of entry, saying it had been taken on "medical advice".

Questions have been raised about the checks, with a spokesman for Gatwick saying the airport had not been given any instructions about how the screening should be carried out.

The move was also criticised by health experts, with one describing it as a "complete waste of time", while Labour MP Keith Vaz said the lack of precise information was "shambolic".

Video: Ebola Screening Coming To The UK

Mr Cameron said: "What we do is listen to the medical advice and we act on that advice, and that's why we are introducing the screening processes at the appropriate ports and airports.

"What we are focusing on as a country is taking action right across the board to deal with this problem at source."

The Department of Health has said it will provide further details about ebola screenings at Heathrow and Gatwick airports and Eurostar terminals next week.

Video: Ebola Crisis: On The Front Line

The department has not revealed the locations of the national exercise, although a spokeswoman said it has been planning its response to an ebola case in the UK "for many months now".

"It is vital that we test these plans in as realistic a situation as possible - with real people," she said.

As well as ministers these will include hospital staff, the ambulance service and Public Health England.

Video: How Doctors Should Deal With Ebola

The spokeswoman added: "It is important to remember that the overall risk to the public in the UK continues to be very low.

"The UK has some of the best public health protection systems in the world with well-developed and well-tested systems for managing infectious disease."

:: Watch a special Sky News programme on the ebola crisis at 3.30pm today and 3.30pm on Sunday - available on skynews.com, Sky News for iPad and on Sky 501, Virgin Media 602, Freesat 202 and Freeview 132.

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Decision Day For Voters In Key By-Elections

Voters are set to go to the polls in key by-elections in Clacton and Heywood and Middleton.

The vote in Clacton, Essex, was triggered in August when Tory MP Douglas Carswell defected to UKIP and stood down from his Westminster seat. 

Mr Carswell won the seat in 2010 with a majority of more than 12,000, having previously served as Conservative MP for Harwich until the constituency was abolished by boundary changes.

In Heywood and Middleton, Greater Manchester, voters are choosing a new MP  following the death of Labour's Jim Dobbin last month.

Mr Dobbin held the seat from 1997 and was returned in 2010 with a significant majority. 

Polls will be open today from 7am until 10pm.

:: The Candidates In Clacton

Douglas Carswell, UK Independence Party

Andy Graham, The Liberal Democrats

Howling Laud Hope, The Official Monster Raving Loony Party 

Charlotte Rose, Independent 

Bruce Francis Sizer, Independent

Chris Southall, Green Party

Giles Watling, The Conservative Party

Tim Young, Labour

:: The Candidates In Heywood And Middleton

John Bickley, UK Independence Party

Iain Gartside, The Conservative Party

Abi Jackson, Green Party

Liz McInnes, Labour

Anthony Smith, The Liberal Democrats

:: Watch our special by-election results coverage from 10pm live on television on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 132 and Freesat channel 202.

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More Time To Question UK Terror Plot Suspects

Anti-terror police have been granted five more days to question four men suspected of plotting a potentially "significant" attack on the UK.

The men - all aged 20 or 21 - were detained by officers from the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command at addresses across London as part of an investigation into Islamist terror activities.

Officers believe the raids disrupted what could have been a "significant plot", according to a Whitehall source quoted by the Press Association.

Among the alleged extremists being questioned is medical student Tarik Hassane, 21, who lives near Ladbroke Grove in west London.

He was Tasered during his arrest but did not require medical treatment.

At least one of the suspects is believed to have travelled to Syria and one line of enquiry is to establish any possible links with Islamic State (IS).

Sky News correspondent Mark White explained: "The information that we're getting from sources suggests that this was an early disruption of what might have been a significant plot had it been allowed to come to fruition.

Officers arrested four terror suspects Pic: The Sun

"There has been a change in recent months in the way that the authorities will approach these plots ... the authorities no longer have the luxury of following a terror group that might be buying the ingredients for an explosive device and conspiring among themselves for many months.

"These plots can spring up so quickly that the police have to intervene at a very early stage and that might mean that, at the end of the day, they don't get enough evidence that they can put before the court.

"But that's the trade-off - disrupting plots and safeguarding the public at the expense, perhaps, of a trial further down the line."

Commenting on the arrests, Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "It is one of a series of arrests that we have had over the last few weeks which, taken together, for me confirm that the drumbeat around terrorism has changed.

"It's a more intense drumbeat - we are having to be more interventionist and a lot of it is linked back to Syria and Iraq."

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Tornado Filmed Sweeping Across UK Motorway

The dramatic moment a tornado blew across a motorway in Merseyside has been caught on video.

The footage was taken by a passenger travelling on the M53 in Wirral on Wednesday evening.

The Met Office has confirmed the film shows a genuine tornado.

"Although it is unusual that we obtain footage of a tornado in the UK, it can occasionally occur, and this sighting is a tornado," a spokesman said.

The twister was filmed on the M53 in Wirral. Pic: Matthew Hughes

Locals began posting on social media about the twister.

Natalie Clarke wrote on Facebook: "That was over my house! I knew it was a tornado as it was the wildest wind I've ever seen in my life - bins and garden furniture went flying and seconds later it was as calm as anything."

Another poster, Nathan Kennedy, added: "OMG!!!! Why is this happening? It is lucky no one was seriously injured or killed."

The footage was posted on YouTube by Matthew Hughes and Rob Halley.

Apparent tornadoes also struck in Cumbria and Derbyshire.

Firefighters in Alfreton, Derbyshire, responded to callouts including a house that lost a roof.

The Met Office confirmed that winds of up to 60mph would hit parts of the UK on Thursday - but the country was unlikely to see more tornadoes.

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Max Clifford Appeal: Judges Need More Time

By Tom Parmenter, News Correspondent

Shamed publicist Max Clifford has been told he must wait to hear the outcome of an appeal against his eight-year sentence.

Judges say they need more time to consider the sentence handed down for a series of sex attacks on young women in the 70s and 80s.

Clifford, who appeared in court via video link from jail, was sentenced in May after a seven-week trial.

One of the victims, who described her lewd encounter with Clifford to the jury, told Sky News: "I think his sentence is deserved, not only for his crimes but for his continued contempt towards women in general."

Many of the victims had been teenagers looking for work in the showbusiness world and went to Clifford because the PR man could make or break careers.

Video: Max Clifford: The Full Story

His office on New Bond Street in central London was described in court as his own "sexual fiefdom".

Giving evidence, he dismissed the women as "fantasists and liars" who were making the allegations in pursuit of compensation.

However, he was found guilty of eight sex attacks on four victims between 1977 and 1984, and the judge said he also believed other "supporting witnesses" who made further serious allegations.

The judge, Mr Justice Leonard QC, said in his sentencing remarks that he took into account Clifford's bizarre behaviour outside court, and how his offences would have attracted far greater penalties if they had been committed more recently.

Video: Judge Slams PR Man's Sky Antics

The eight-year sentence surprised many people, including legal analyst Lyndon Harris, who said: "The judge here has put the Court of Appeal in a tricky position.

"The sentence is clearly manifestly excessive on the law as it was at the time, I don't think there's much doubt about that, but politically it will be difficult for them to reduce the sentence, less still halve it, in such a high-profile case."

Clifford is currently serving his sentence at HMP Littlehey in Cambridgeshire.

No date has been set for the judges to return their decision.

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Terror Arrests May Have Foiled Major Plot

Four men have been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences in a series of raids, during which one suspect was Tasered.

The men - all aged 20 or 21 - were detained by officers from the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command at addresses across London as part of an investigation into Islamist terror activities.

Officers believe the raids disrupted what could have been a "significant plot", according to a Whitehall source quoted by the Press Association.

The 21-year-old who was Tasered during his arrest did not require medical treatment, Scotland Yard said. 

"SO15 officers were assisted in the execution of warrants at one of the addresses by officers from the Specialist Firearms Command (SCO19). No shots were fired," police said in a statement.

"A number of residential addresses and vehicles are being searched by specialist officers in west and central London as part of the investigation. The searches are ongoing.

"These arrests and searches are part of an ongoing investigation into Islamist-related terrorism."

All four suspects have been taken to police stations in central London and remain in custody.

Sky News correspondent Mark White explained: "The information that we're getting from sources suggests that this was an early disruption of what might have been a significant plot had it been allowed to come to fruition.

"There has been a change in recent months in the way that the authorities will approach these plots... the authorities no longer have the luxury of following a terror group that might be buying the ingredients for an explosive device and conspiring among themselves for many months.

"These plots can spring up so quickly that the police have to intervene at a very early stage and that might mean that, at the end of the day, they don't get enough evidence that they can put before the court.

"But that's the trade off - disrupting plots and safeguarding the public at the expense, perhaps, of a trial further down the line."

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UKIP On Course To Bruise Labour And Tories

By Joey Jones, Deputy Political Editor

Getting a directly elected MP into Westminster for the first time, as UKIP surely will in the form of Douglas Carswell in Clacton-on-Sea, ranks as a sizeable tremor on the party's earthquake scale.

However, it lacks the one element that sows terror in the hearts of UKIP's political opponents - shock value.

The Carswell defection in the dog days of summer silly season really did have David Cameron reaching for the smelling salts, but the fact the former Tory MP will be returned on a UKIP ticket has been priced in from the moment the first opinion pollsters did the rounds of Clacton, if not before.

A Carswell triumph will be a moment of high symbolism nonetheless.

Having an MP in the Commons offers UKIP a valuable platform, and reinforces their confidence that the walls of the Palace of Westminster will eventually crumble under a relentless UKIP siege.

Before Nigel Farage and his troops get too far ahead of themselves, it should be remembered that the party's main achievement in a general election will be a negative one - putting a spanner in other politicians' hopes of comfortable re-election - while they can hope for only a handful of seats at best.

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1. Gallery: Heywood and Clacton By-Elections

   Watch a by-election special on Sky News from 10pm on Thursday

2. List of candidates for the Heywood and Middleton by-election

3. List of candidates for the Clacton by-election

Nevertheless, the extent to which the political dynamic has shifted can be measured by the fact that few Westminster politicians now have the temerity to describe a vote for UKIP as a "protest vote".

There is instead a recognition that the disenchantment with mainstream politics on which Mr Farage feeds has to be grappled with as (at the very least) a semi-permanent phenomenon.

In Thursday's other by-election in Heywood and Middleton, UKIP is set to put the frighteners on Labour without making a shattering breakthrough.

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1. Gallery: Clacton By-Election Candidates

   Douglas Carswell, UKIP. Was a Conservative until August when he crossed to Nigel Farage's party. A former businessman, fund manager and Conservative MP. First elected to Clacton in 2005 and returned with a majority of 12,000 in 2010. The 43-year-old first stood against Tony Blair in Sedgefield in 2001.

2. Andy Graham, Liberal Democrat. The 59-year-old actor and writer founded the Snap Theatre Company and is a former mayor of Bishop's Stortford. He has also set up the ai ai Ltd charity working in the developing world. He brought the stage version of Sense and Sensibility to Clacton's West Cliff Theatre 10 years ago.

3. Howling 'Laud' Hope, Official Monster Raving Loony Party. The 72-year-old leader of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party since the death of Screaming 'Lord' Sutch in 1999. He was actually jointly elected with his pet cat, Catmando, but Catmando died in 2002.

4. Charlotte Rose, independent. A 34-year-old former dominatrix now high-class escort and Sex Worker of The Year, who has slept with more than 1,000 men and charges £180 an hour for her services. She is university educated and says her "main policy is about sexual freedom". Her other focus is improving sex education in schools.

5. Dr Bruce Sizer, independent. The consultant oncologist only entered the contest to get publicity for cancer services in the area and himself admitted he has "no political ambitions". Dr Sizer's campaign headquarters is a beach hut in Walton-on-the-Naze.

6. Chris Southall, Green Party. Recently took part in a Stand Up To UKIP protest. He is a former potter, computer engineer and drummer who lives in an eco house which is open to the public.

7. Giles Watling, Conservatives. Best known as Oswald the vicar who married Avaline in the sitcom Bread back in the 1980s. The 61-year-old, an Essex Junior Champion Archer, is a Conservative councillor on Tendring District Council.

8. Tim Young, Labour. A leading north Essex councillor, he was born and brought up in Clacton. He is currently leader of the Labour group on Colchester Council and is portfolio holder for planning, community safety and culture. He has a dangerous driving conviction from 2001, when he hit a police officer with his car.

If the party polls close to 30%, that will be unsettling for Ed Miliband, who is coming under significant pressure following a lacklustre conference season.

The focus at these electoral set pieces will first and foremost be on the big winner - UKIP.

But as MPs return to Westminster after conference season the heat is likely to be on an opposition that seems able to do little more than tread water.

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1. Gallery: Heywood By-Election Candidates

   John Bickley, UKIP. Father of two who joined UKIP three years ago. He lived for a short while in Heywood and Middleton and began his career as a laboratory technician before joining EMI Records in the North West and then moving to London. He now runs his own software company. His interests aside from politics include walking.

2. Iain Gartside, Conservative. Married 39-year-old grew up in Manchester and lives in Bury. He works in financial services helping small businesses to succeed, and is the leader of the Conservative group on Bury Council. He is a Manchester City fan who plays cricket in his spare time.

3. Abi Jackson, Green Party. Abi was brought up in Middleton and has recently completed a Master's Degree in Psychology at Huddersfield University. She continues to live in the constituency.

4. Liz McInnes, Labour. A councillor in Rossendale, a few miles outside the constituency, where she lives with her partner Steve and son Sam. She works as a healthcare scientist in the NHS and is a Unite union rep. She beat former BBC presenter Miriam O'Reilly to become candidate.

5. Anthony Smith, Liberal Democrat. Has lived in Heywood and Middleton for most of his life. He is a father of four and local businessman who lives in Rochdale. He left school at 16, worked on a shop floor, faced redundancy, reskilled and ran his own business. When he was younger he played in a number of brass bands.

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Farage Parks Tanks On All Party Lawns

By Michael Thrasher, Sky's Election Analyst

Barring an unexpected series of events the voters of Clacton will re-elect Douglas Carswell as a UKIP rather than Conservative MP.

Labour will retain Heywood and Middleton but UKIP will finish second in a seat where it was fifth in 2010.  By any account these will represent spectacular performances.

Constituency polling undertaken in Clacton by Survation just after Carswell's defection and more recently by Lord Ashcroft suggest that UKIP will win handsomely, thereby overturning a Conservative majority of more than 12,000 votes. 

But the Conservatives face a double whammy - Clacton's voters look set to repeat the act at the General Election in May.

The election of its first MP to the House of Commons (Bob Spink defected to UKIP although was elected a Conservative) will be a dramatic moment in UKIP's short history and will confirm the party's progress over the past two years.

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1. Gallery: Heywood By-Election Candidates

   John Bickley, UKIP. Father of two who joined UKIP three years ago. He lived for a short while in Heywood and Middleton and began his career as a laboratory technician before joining EMI Records in the North West and then moving to London. He now runs his own software company. His interests aside from politics include walking.

2. Iain Gartside, Conservative. Married 39-year-old grew up in Manchester and lives in Bury. He works in financial services helping small businesses to succeed, and is the leader of the Conservative group on Bury Council. He is a Manchester City fan who plays cricket in his spare time.

3. Abi Jackson, Green Party. Abi was brought up in Middleton and has recently completed a Master's Degree in Psychology at Huddersfield University. She continues to live in the constituency.

4. Liz McInnes, Labour. A councillor in Rossendale, a few miles outside the constituency, where she lives with her partner Steve and son Sam. She works as a healthcare scientist in the NHS and is a Unite union rep. She beat former BBC presenter Miriam O'Reilly to become candidate.

5. Anthony Smith, Liberal Democrat. Has lived in Heywood and Middleton for most of his life. He is a father of four and local businessman who lives in Rochdale. He left school at 16, worked on a shop floor, faced redundancy, reskilled and ran his own business. When he was younger he played in a number of brass bands.

In that time it has ceased to be a one-trick pony, specifically able to tap into voters' distrust of Europeanisation, and has taken a number of important steps. 

First, it edged alongside, then overtook the Liberal Democrats in national surveys of voters. The latest polling sees the coalition Liberal Democrats in single figures whilst it watches UKIP march ahead after it successfully stole its brand as the party of choice for protest voters.

Second, UKIP in 2013 and again this May did the unthinkable - contest and win local council seats. This is a far cry from the European issue and reveals a broadening of the UKIP brand. 

Labour permitted rapid inward migration of workers during the economic boom, the Conservatives pledged to reduce the numbers and have failed to do so. More disillusioned voters for UKIP to tap into, therefore. 

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1. Gallery: Clacton By-Election Candidates

   Douglas Carswell, UKIP. Was a Conservative until August when he crossed to Nigel Farage's party. A former businessman, fund manager and Conservative MP. First elected to Clacton in 2005 and returned with a majority of 12,000 in 2010. The 43-year-old first stood against Tony Blair in Sedgefield in 2001.

2. Andy Graham, Liberal Democrat. The 59-year-old actor and writer founded the Snap Theatre Company and is a former mayor of Bishop's Stortford. He has also set up the ai ai Ltd charity working in the developing world. He brought the stage version of Sense and Sensibility to Clacton's West Cliff Theatre 10 years ago.

3. Howling 'Laud' Hope, Official Monster Raving Loony Party. The 72-year-old leader of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party since the death of Screaming 'Lord' Sutch in 1999. He was actually jointly elected with his pet cat, Catmando, but Catmando died in 2002.

4. Charlotte Rose, independent. A 34-year-old former dominatrix now high-class escort and Sex Worker of The Year, who has slept with more than 1,000 men and charges £180 an hour for her services. She is university educated and says her "main policy is about sexual freedom". Her other focus is improving sex education in schools.

5. Dr Bruce Sizer, independent. The consultant oncologist only entered the contest to get publicity for cancer services in the area and himself admitted he has "no political ambitions". Dr Sizer's campaign headquarters is a beach hut in Walton-on-the-Naze.

6. Chris Southall, Green Party. Recently took part in a Stand Up To UKIP protest. He is a former potter, computer engineer and drummer who lives in an eco house which is open to the public.

7. Giles Watling, Conservatives. Best known as Oswald the vicar who married Avaline in the sitcom Bread back in the 1980s. The 61-year-old, an Essex Junior Champion Archer, is a Conservative councillor on Tendring District Council.

8. Tim Young, Labour. A leading north Essex councillor, he was born and brought up in Clacton. He is currently leader of the Labour group on Colchester Council and is portfolio holder for planning, community safety and culture. He has a dangerous driving conviction from 2001, when he hit a police officer with his car.

UKIP made rapid progress in the shire county elections in 2013 and audaciously picked off seats in some Labour-dominated areas in 2014.

Third, by broadening its appeal UKIP has built itself a rather effective party machine. Its national organisation boasts people who know their way around campaigning. 

Locally, it has thousands of new recruits, many of whom have been standing as local election candidates. These people have run campaigns that are every bit as effective as those run by the three established parties.

This level of organisation has been viewed at both parliamentary and local council by-elections. In November 2012 the party finished second in the parliamentary seats of Middlesbrough and Rotherham. Months later it chased the Liberal Democrats hard in Eastleigh and since then has finished second in every other by-election held.

Video: Clacton: The Word On The Street

The story is similar in council by-elections. Regularly, its candidates win a fifth or more of the votes having never contested before.  Having read and digested the Liberal Democrat book on fighting council seats UKIP now cheekily out-performs it.

The results of the Clacton and Heywood and Middleton by-elections could be embarrassing for the main parties. 

If the UKIP vote in Clacton is twice as large as that for the Conservatives then the outcome in Rochester and Strood might be a second defeat for Cameron. 

If Labour fails to improve its position in Heywood then disaffection with the Miliband leadership will doubtless grow. 

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1. Gallery: Heywood and Clacton By-Elections

   Watch a by-election special on Sky News from 10pm on Thursday

2. List of candidates for the Heywood and Middleton by-election

3. List of candidates for the Clacton by-election

The Liberal Democrat candidates could lose their deposits in both elections, further undermining the party's future credentials as a viable coalition partner after the next election.

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EDF Go Ahead for Hinkley Point Nuclear Reactor

French energy giant EDF has been given approval to build a new £16bn nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in north Somerset, it has been confirmed.

The new-build power station is part of a plan to replace 20% of Britain's ageing nuclear power infrastructure.

Approval for the construction has been confirmed by regulators at the European Commission, following prior approval by Competition Commissioner Vice-President Joaquin Almunia.

The EU examined the bid over concerns the UK Government was giving excess help to the plan.

Mr Almunia said: "After the commission's intervention, the UK measures in favour of Hinkley Point nuclear power station have been significantly modified, limiting any distortions of competition in the single market.

"These modifications will also achieve significant savings for UK taxpayers.

"On this basis and after a thorough investigation, the commission can now conclude that the support is compatible with EU state aid rules."

The EU said that under treaty rules, member states are free to determine their energy mix.

It said that the UK has decided to promote nuclear energy and this decision is within its national competence.

However, it insists that when public money is spent to support companies, the commission has the duty to verify that this is done in line with the EU state aid rules, which aim to preserve competition among member states.

Known as Hinkley Point C, it will replace the A station, which is being decommissioned, and the operational B station.

Video: Nuclear Deal 'To Boost Industry'

It is the first in a new generation of UK nuclear power stations.

EDF had earlier said: "A new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point will not only provide a clean, secure and affordable source of electricity for around five million homes, but it will also provide around 900 jobs at the new power stations for more than 60 years."

The lengthy building programme is expected to create 25,000 jobs for almost a decade.

The industry's trade body head, Lord Hutton of Furness, welcomed the decision and said: "The Nuclear Industry Association is pleased the deal for Hinkley Point C has been approved.

"This is an important step in securing the UK's home-grown low-carbon electricity generation while adding jobs and prosperity to the economy."

:: EDF Energy CEO Vincent De Rivaz will be interviewed by Ian King Live tonight at 6.30pm.

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Alice Murder: Tests On Body Found In Park

A post-mortem is due to take place today on a body believed to be that of the man wanted for the murder of 14-year-old Alice Gross.

It is understood that Arnis Zalkalns was found hanged on Saturday in woods at Boston Manor Park - a mile from where the schoolgirl's body was hidden.

The badly decomposed body was taken by private ambulance to a mortuary in west London, and a post-mortem examination is scheduled for this afternoon at Fulham Mortuary.

The convicted killer vanished from his flat in Ealing on September 4 - a week after Alice is thought to have been abducted and murdered while walking home along a canal towpath in Hanwell.

Alice was found dead in the River Brent on Tuesday after a five-week search.

Video: Alice's Movements Reconstructed

Zalkalns, 41, was filmed cycling along the same route behind Alice on the day she vanished on 28 August.

His sister, Jolanta Daksa, told Sky News: "British police have not contacted me, or my brothers and sisters.

"Arnis' girlfriend, who is living in London, told me that they had found the remains and I told the other family members. Other details about what the police found we learned from the media.

"Now we are waiting for the results from the examination of the body and the police investigation.

"We want to know from police if it really is Arnis."

Video: Alice: Body Found In Suspect Hunt

The Latvian labourer worked at a building site in Isleworth, west London, and is thought to have come to the UK in 2007.

Authorities are facing criticism for apparently holding no record of his conviction for bludgeoning and stabbing his wife Rudite to death in Latvia.

It also emerged Zalkalns was arrested in London on suspicion of indecently assaulting a 14-year-old girl in 2009, but was never charged.

A post-mortem examination on Alice was inconclusive and further tests are to be carried out to find out how she died.

Police said "significant efforts" were taken to conceal her body in the water.

Video: CCTV Footage Shows Alice Suspect

Zalkalns had not accessed his bank account or used his mobile phone since 3 September, nor had he returned home to his partner and young child in Ealing. He also left behind his passport.

Scotland Yard has said that though Zalkalns had been identified as a suspect in the murder investigation, inquiries continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding the crime.

A spokesman said: "Officers are still searching for evidence, and once again appeal to the public for any information that could assist them. Anyone with any information is asked to contact us on 020 8358 0100."

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Hurley's Anger Over Gran's Cancer Death

Elizabeth Hurley has spoken out about her anger at being unable to help her grandmother before she died from breast cancer.

The actress said she wished she had known more about the disease before her grandmother passed away in 1992.

Her grandmother had once showed her scars from a double mastectomy, but changed the subject, she said.

She told Sky News: "When she found her lump she was too scared to even tell her doctor. She didn't know anything about breast cancer. She assumed it was the death sentence and unfortunately it was for her."

TV presenter Michaela Strachan revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer

Hurley said she learnt about breast cancer through Evelyn Lauder, Estee Lauder's daughter-in-law, who started a campaign 20 years ago.

The actress said the businesswoman organised for her to have her first mammogram for her 40th birthday and she has had one every year since.

Video: Jolie At Premiere After Mastectomy

"We know that if a cancer is found and treated early, there is a 95% chance of recovery. If only my grandmother and countless other scared women could have known this," she said.

Hurley, a global ambassador for the Estee Lauder Companies' Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, was speaking at the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

She spoke after television presenter Michaela Strachan revealed she had been diagnosed with the disease.

Video: Heaton: 'No Regrets' Over Surgery

The Springwatch host said she was forced to have both breasts removed after the cancer was discovered in a mammogram at the start of the year.

Angelina Jolie announced in 2013 that she had undergone a double mastectomy to prevent her getting breast cancer.

She took the decision after testing positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation that greatly increases the risk of developing the disease.

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Clegg: Lib Dems Would Ask Rich To Pay More Tax

The Liberal Democrats would seek to increase taxes on the wealthy as part of efforts to reduce the deficit, Nick Clegg has said.

Speaking to Sky News from the party's conference in Glasgow, the Deputy Prime Minister accused Chancellor George Osborne of defying the prevailing economic wisdom by trying to cut the UK's national deficit without tax hikes on the rich and instead focusing on cuts in public spending and welfare.

He said his party would insist on around 20% of the £100bn deficit being paid off through higher taxes on the rich, such as their proposed £1.5bn "mansion tax" or a £1bn reduction in tax breaks for wealthy people's pensions.

But he refused to give more details of his "red lines" in any Coalition negotiations.

He said: "I know that George Osborne has decided - in a way that I don't think you'll find a single mainstream economist in the world agreeing with him - that you can balance the books by only asking the working-age poor to make additional sacrifices or only by gouging out more and more money from unprotected public services like the police, social services, social care and education.

Video: Lib Dems Step Up Attacks On Tories

"It's got to be a balance and we've broadly kept that balance during this coalition Government.

"I think, in taxation, you should start at the top and work down, not start at the bottom."

He said there was a "huge difference" between the priorities of the two parties that currently make up the Coalition.

Video: Lib Dems 'Wrote' Economic Recovery

"We can create a stronger economy and a fairer society because that's the only way you can have opportunity for everyone to do what they want with their lives," he said.

"You do that by borrowing less than Labour but cutting less than the Conservatives. That's the stall that we're setting out.

"One of the big questions in next year's election is not just going to be who promises this, that or the other. It's 'Who will pay?' Because there is a price-tag to everything.

Video: Lib Dems In 'Fight Of Their Lives'

"Our answer is very simple. We think if you ask society to make a sacrifice, the broadest shoulders should make a contribution. The Conservative answer is very clear. They say the poorest in work should make the greatest contribution."

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Mass Killer Admits Making Explosive Device

A mass killer who shot dead five people in 1978 has admitted making an improvised explosive device after he was released from prison.

The former Broadmoor patient, who was released from indefinite detention in the 1990s, was caught with the home-made bomb last year.

More than 50 home-made bullets, two pistols and a revolver were also found at the 70-year-old's home in Birmingham.

Street, originally called Barry Williams, was detained under mental health laws in 1979 for the manslaughter of three of his neighbours in West Bromwich and a couple who ran a petrol station in Warwickshire.

He had been due to stand trial at Birmingham Crown Court accused of making the explosive and possessing three firearms with intent to endanger life.

But he changed his plea over possessing the home-made device. He had already pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to three charges of possessing a prohibited firearm and one count of putting a neighbour in fear of violence.

Prosecutor Michael Duck QC said the Crown accepted Street's not guilty plea to four other charges.

No further action will be taken on those charges after consultation with witnesses and Mr Duck added there was an "overwhelming likelihood" that Street will be detained indefinitely again in a secure hospital.

He told the court: "It is quite apparent and would have been the Crown's case, that this man commits offences of the utmost seriousness when he is mentally unwell.

"The overwhelming balance of medical opinion is that this is a significant problem that will take a very significant time to resolve, if it ever does."

Street is being treated at the high-security Ashworth Hospital on Merseyside. He earlier admitted throwing items at a neighbour's roof, banging and drilling walls late at night and making threats to a neighbour.

On 26 October 1978 he killed his George Burkitt, his wife Iris and their son Philip at their home on West Bromwich's Bustleholme Mill estate. The husband and wife were both shot in the head and their son was shot through the heart.

He then drove to Stockingford, near Nuneaton, where he killed Michel and Lisa Di Maria by firing shots through an office window.

He was caught following a high-speed car chase across the Peak District in Derbyshire and officers found more than 900 bullets and a 0.22-calibre pistol inside his car.

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