Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has hailed a "vote of confidence" in his party after it comfortably held the Oldham West and Royton seat in a by-election.

Its candidate Jim McMahon secured a 10,835-vote majority from UKIP's John Bickley and a 62% vote share that was higher than at the general election.

UKIP's Nigel Farage called the result "perverse", and said there had been reports the postal vote was rigged.

The Conservatives came third in the poll.

Live: Oldham by-election reaction

The by-election was triggered by the death of long-serving Labour MP Michael Meacher.

Mr McMahon said he had "delivered a result that Michael would be proud of".

Labour was defending a 14,738 majority from the general election.

While its total majority was lower this time around, it ended up with a higher vote share as the turnout - just over 40% - was lower than at May's poll.
'Clear demonstration'

The by-election - the first of this Parliament - was also the first major electoral test for Mr Corbyn, who was elected leader by more than half the party's membership in September.

He has faced criticism from some within his party, with few of his MPs having backed his leadership campaign while senior figures warned he would damage Labour's electoral chances.

Mr Corbyn said: "By-elections can be difficult for the party holding the seat, and turnouts are often low.

"But to increase our share of the vote since the general election is a vote of confidence in our party.

"It's a clear demonstration that Labour is the party working people trust."

Why does it not surprise me that Silver is a Corbyn loon/fan

Why does it not surprise me that Silver is a Corbyn loon/fan

You lot on the right have DAC and Dozy the left have Silver

Will be interesting to see the size of postal vote and the turnout percentages for each ward

By a bigger winning % margin

Surely an outstanding, critically important result for Labour and Corbyn

And a great endorsement for a fairer, peace loving country.

I hope Corbyn holds on to the leadership and Labour work to kick out all of these pro war scum MPs.

I'm not on the left. Unless left means anti war, pro choice, lower tax, smaller Govt, anti AGW bullshit and a fairer society.

edit and pro free speech.

You're all over the place son - Corbyn possibly believes in 2-3 things you've stated.

Tom Watson on BBC now effectively saying that bombing Syria is an issue that doesn't really matter

Why does it not surprise me that Silver is a Corbyn loon/fan

What makes Corbyn a 'loon'?

I'm not on the left. Unless left means anti war, pro choice, lower tax, smaller Govt, anti AGW bullshit and a fairer society.

edit and pro free speech.

He is a left winger

What makes Corbyn a 'loon'?

You're all over the place son - Corbyn possibly believes in 2-3 things you've stated.

Tom Watson on BBC now effectively saying that bombing Syria is an issue that doesn't really matter

I'm not on the left. Unless left means anti war, pro choice, lower tax, smaller Govt, anti AGW bullshit and a fairer society.

edit and pro free speech.

Well lets start with the fact he believes he'd make a good prime minister when he's already told all and sundry our nuclear deterrent is technically redundant. He's a very honest man which is a highly admirable quality of course and one that I look for in my bank manager but not the man in charge of the UK defences.

He is a left winger

Well lets start with the fact he believes he'd make a good prime minister when he's already told all and sundry our nuclear deterrent is technically redundant. He's a very honest man which is a highly admirable quality of course and one that I look for in my bank manager but not the man in charge of the UK defences.

It means higher tax, huge government, AGW all the way, a massive redistribution of wealth (not fairly) and free speech will be crushed.

you are the analyst on PR. We most look for silver.

The West must move to higher deficits otherwise it's finished

and that makes him a loon - gotcha

well actually the loon was aimed more at SIlver. Corby is just deluded and naive

Did I say that? Of course I wouldn't but I'd also not like to see the leader of my country not make them a very expensive and very empty threat. He'd play poker with his cards facing up the man.

Or should he lie and treat the public as fools. As many politicians do.

This result clearly shows Corbyn is the right man to take Labour into the 2020 election and any dissidents must be crushed.

Tom Watson on BBC now effectively saying that bombing Syria is an issue that doesn't really matter

Everyone knows a country like the UK can NOT start throwing nuclear bombs around. Why should a potential leader not say this

Or should he lie and treat the public as fools. As many politicians do.

Everyone knows a country like the UK can NOT start throwing nuclear bombs around. Why should a potential leader not say this

Or should he lie and treat the public as fools. As many politicians do.

There is a reason politicians sometimes have to lie to the public like idiots it's because by and large they mostly are.

What makes Corbyn a 'loon'?