Gordon Brown and the Government were reeling last night after being heavily defeated again, this time in the Norwich North by-election.
The Tory, Chloe Smith, received 13,591 votes.
At just 27 years of age, Ms Smith will be the youngest member of the House of Commons.
Labour's Chris Ostrowski was in second place, but received 7,348 less votes than Smith.
If the result was repeated in a nationwide General Election, Tory leader David Cameron would storm into 10 Downing Street with 434 MPs in the Commons - compared to Labour's paltry sum of 107.
Now there is talk again that a leadership contest in the Labour Party may take place in September. If that happened and Brown lost, Britain would have its third Prime Minister in the space of two years.
And bookies William Hill have offered 66-1 on Chloe Smith one day becoming Prime Minister.
The anti-EU UK Independence Party also did well in the election, finishing in fourth place with 4,068 votes.
Craig Murray of the Put An Honest Man Into Parliament party received 953 votes, "Howling Laud" of the Monster Raving Loony Party received 144 votes and Anne Fryatt of the None Of The Above party received 59 votes
Young won
Winner ... David Cameron and Chloe Smith
By GEORGE PASCOE- WATSON
Political Editor
Published: Today
Norwich North by-election result
Chloe Smith (Conservatives): 13,591
Chris Ostrowski (Labour): 6,243
April Pond (Liberal Democrats): 4,803
Glenn Tingle (UK Independence Party): 4,068
Rupert Read (Green Party): 3,350
Craig Murray (Put An Honest Man Into Parliament): 953
Robert West (British National Party): 941
Bill Holden (Independent): 166
"Howling Laud" (Monster Raving Loony Party): 144
Anne Fryatt (None Of The Above): 59
Thomas Burridge (Libertarian): 36
Peter Baggs (Independent): 23
Tory majority: 7,348/ 21.37%/ +9.77%
Turnout: 34,577/ 45.88%/ -15.22
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has received another crushing blow
DAVID Cameron was celebrating last night after a young Tory crushed Labour in a by-election.
Chloe Smith romped home in Norwich North - aged just 27.
Her victory was larger that expected, with Labour shedding 70 per cent of the support it won in the 2005 General Election.
It could trigger fresh talk of a leadership contest against Gordon Brown in September.
Loser ... Labour's Chris Ostrowski
Ms Smith became the youngest MP when she took more than twice as many votes as Labour candidate Chris Ostrowski.
She notched up a 7,348 majority - after Labour had won by 5,000-plus four years ago.
Change
Howling Laud, of the Monster Raving Loony Party, received 144 votes
It was only the second time the Tories have taken a Labour seat in a by-election in 31 years.
Mr Cameron would lead a huge 218-seat Commons majority if the 16.5 per cent swing was matched in a General Election.
Mr Cameron said: "This was a historic campaign.
"It shows people want change in our country.
"Labour's campaign was utterly despicable. Labour should learn a lesson that this country had had enough of their misleading claims and lies about Tory cuts and the rest of their rubbish."
Ms Smith said: "This by-election has been a victory for honest politics. They have voted for change and in doing so they have sent a message to Gordon Brown very loud and very clear."
The former comprehensive pupil, who describes herself as a "Norfolk girl through and through", got a first in English literature at York University.
The result was a bitter blow to Mr Brown.
Last night the PM admitted it was a "disappointing result" but blamed the MPs' expenses scandal.
The by-election came after Labour MP Ian Gibson was ousted over a row about his claims.
Deputy leader Harriet Harman added: "It is a reflection of the unprecedented circumstances.
Results ... Norwich-north by-election
"It is our votes staying at home rather than a big shift to the Conservatives."
Former Home Secretary Charles Clarke, Labour MP for neighbouring Norwich South, said the result was "very bad" for Labour.
Mr Cameron visited Norfolk SIX times in the campaign - demonstrating victory was vital to him. It will be seen as a landmark moment in his bid to oust Mr Brown.
Labour chiefs went out of their way to avoid a DOUBLE defeat by delaying another by-election until November.
They must contest Glasgow North East due to the retirement of ex Speaker Michael Martin.
WILLIAM Hill last night made Ms Smith 66/1 to one day be PM - and 33/1 to lead the Tories.
*************************************************************************
Baby of the house
CHLOE Smith will be the youngest Tory MP in 30 years - and the party's youngest ever female MP.
Margaret Thatcher was 33 when she took Finchley in 1959. Justine Greening, 40, is currently the youngest serving female Tory.
The new MP is two years younger than Lib Dem Jo Swinson, who she replaces as "baby of the House".
Smith insists: "If you're good enough, you're old enough."
Cameron storms it
David Cameron would storm into No10 with 434 MPs - compared to Labour's paltry sum of 107.
The Lib Dems would have 70, while other parties would have 30.
The figures, calculated by Plymouth University boffins, assume no change for the SNP, Plaid Cymru and minor parties, and take into account new constituencies.
thesun.co.uk
The Tory, Chloe Smith, received 13,591 votes.
At just 27 years of age, Ms Smith will be the youngest member of the House of Commons.
Labour's Chris Ostrowski was in second place, but received 7,348 less votes than Smith.
If the result was repeated in a nationwide General Election, Tory leader David Cameron would storm into 10 Downing Street with 434 MPs in the Commons - compared to Labour's paltry sum of 107.
Now there is talk again that a leadership contest in the Labour Party may take place in September. If that happened and Brown lost, Britain would have its third Prime Minister in the space of two years.
And bookies William Hill have offered 66-1 on Chloe Smith one day becoming Prime Minister.
The anti-EU UK Independence Party also did well in the election, finishing in fourth place with 4,068 votes.
Craig Murray of the Put An Honest Man Into Parliament party received 953 votes, "Howling Laud" of the Monster Raving Loony Party received 144 votes and Anne Fryatt of the None Of The Above party received 59 votes
Young won
Winner ... David Cameron and Chloe Smith
By GEORGE PASCOE- WATSON
Political Editor
Published: Today
Norwich North by-election result
Chloe Smith (Conservatives): 13,591
Chris Ostrowski (Labour): 6,243
April Pond (Liberal Democrats): 4,803
Glenn Tingle (UK Independence Party): 4,068
Rupert Read (Green Party): 3,350
Craig Murray (Put An Honest Man Into Parliament): 953
Robert West (British National Party): 941
Bill Holden (Independent): 166
"Howling Laud" (Monster Raving Loony Party): 144
Anne Fryatt (None Of The Above): 59
Thomas Burridge (Libertarian): 36
Peter Baggs (Independent): 23
Tory majority: 7,348/ 21.37%/ +9.77%
Turnout: 34,577/ 45.88%/ -15.22
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has received another crushing blow
DAVID Cameron was celebrating last night after a young Tory crushed Labour in a by-election.
Chloe Smith romped home in Norwich North - aged just 27.
Her victory was larger that expected, with Labour shedding 70 per cent of the support it won in the 2005 General Election.
It could trigger fresh talk of a leadership contest against Gordon Brown in September.
Loser ... Labour's Chris Ostrowski
Ms Smith became the youngest MP when she took more than twice as many votes as Labour candidate Chris Ostrowski.
She notched up a 7,348 majority - after Labour had won by 5,000-plus four years ago.
Change
Howling Laud, of the Monster Raving Loony Party, received 144 votes
It was only the second time the Tories have taken a Labour seat in a by-election in 31 years.
Mr Cameron would lead a huge 218-seat Commons majority if the 16.5 per cent swing was matched in a General Election.
Mr Cameron said: "This was a historic campaign.
"It shows people want change in our country.
"Labour's campaign was utterly despicable. Labour should learn a lesson that this country had had enough of their misleading claims and lies about Tory cuts and the rest of their rubbish."
Ms Smith said: "This by-election has been a victory for honest politics. They have voted for change and in doing so they have sent a message to Gordon Brown very loud and very clear."
The former comprehensive pupil, who describes herself as a "Norfolk girl through and through", got a first in English literature at York University.
The result was a bitter blow to Mr Brown.
Last night the PM admitted it was a "disappointing result" but blamed the MPs' expenses scandal.
The by-election came after Labour MP Ian Gibson was ousted over a row about his claims.
Deputy leader Harriet Harman added: "It is a reflection of the unprecedented circumstances.
Results ... Norwich-north by-election
"It is our votes staying at home rather than a big shift to the Conservatives."
Former Home Secretary Charles Clarke, Labour MP for neighbouring Norwich South, said the result was "very bad" for Labour.
Mr Cameron visited Norfolk SIX times in the campaign - demonstrating victory was vital to him. It will be seen as a landmark moment in his bid to oust Mr Brown.
Labour chiefs went out of their way to avoid a DOUBLE defeat by delaying another by-election until November.
They must contest Glasgow North East due to the retirement of ex Speaker Michael Martin.
WILLIAM Hill last night made Ms Smith 66/1 to one day be PM - and 33/1 to lead the Tories.
*************************************************************************
Baby of the house
CHLOE Smith will be the youngest Tory MP in 30 years - and the party's youngest ever female MP.
Margaret Thatcher was 33 when she took Finchley in 1959. Justine Greening, 40, is currently the youngest serving female Tory.
The new MP is two years younger than Lib Dem Jo Swinson, who she replaces as "baby of the House".
Smith insists: "If you're good enough, you're old enough."
Cameron storms it
THE Tories would blitz Labour at a General Election if the Norwich result was repeated nationwide.
David Cameron would storm into No10 with 434 MPs - compared to Labour's paltry sum of 107.
The Lib Dems would have 70, while other parties would have 30.
The figures, calculated by Plymouth University boffins, assume no change for the SNP, Plaid Cymru and minor parties, and take into account new constituencies.
thesun.co.uk
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