Isabel Hardman Isabel Hardman

The Tories are paying the price for their swagger over the Rochester by-election

But Ukip still has a big challenge ahead

issue 15 November 2014

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[/audioplayer]In a corner of the Ukip campaign office in Rochester, a light-up orb is spinning, with the words ‘Vote Mark Reckless’ endlessly switching from yellow to purple. It’s hypnotic, if disconcerting, but also unnecessary because voters don’t need to be persuaded to vote for him.

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