KEIGHLEY AND SHIPLEY: Seat that predicts winners turns blue

Kris Hopkins, leader of Bradford Council, won 20,003 votes, beating Labour candidate Jane Thomas's 17,063 votes.

The constituency, which includes socially-deprived council estates in Keighley and the affluent spa town of Ilkley, has mirrored the government in 13 of the last 15 general elections. It has been Labour since 1997.

Mr Hopkins said: "People indicated they have had enough of Gordon Brown and wanted to send a clear message. We have seen a massive turnout across the constituency and people have made their choice."

Labour's Jane Thomas paid tribute to former MP Ann Cryer's "integrity and great independence of mind".

Nader Fekri, the Lib Dem candidate who won 7,059 votes, said "for a brief shining moment" party leader Nick Clegg showed "what a progressive, fairer alternative we had to offer".

The British National Party candiate, Andrew Brons, received 1,962 votes. Paul Latham of UKIP received 1,470 votes, while Steven Smith of the National Front got 135. Turnout was 72 per cent.

The Conservatives held the Shipley constituency, with incumbent Philip Davies converting a notional majority of just 450 into a near 10,000 majority, winning 24,002 votes.

Mr Davies said: "I'm absolutely elated."

The MP, who has a reputation for speaking his mind, added: "If there were more independently minded MPs... people might be more respectful of politicians."

Susan Hinchliffe, the Labour candidate who received 14,058 votes, said: "I'm obviously disappointed with the result."

Lib Dem candidate John Harris received 9,890 votes, while Kevin Warnes of the Green Party polled 1,477. Turnout was 73 per cent.