UKIP ‘disappointed’ at Chichester result despite coming second

Nevertheless the party still came in second place and saw its support more than double from 6.8 per cent to 14.9 per cent.

“As far as we’re concerned it’s quite disappointing,” said Andrew Moncreiff just before the exact totals were announced. “We were expecting to do better. I expected to come a clear second and I think I will come a clear second but it won’t be as decisive as I had hoped.

“However it’s a substantial improvement on last time.”

In 2010 Mr Moncreiff took 6.8 per cent of the vote but had been aiming for 20 per cent this time around.

“It’s been a very good campaign,” he said. “The response we’ve had on the doorstep has been very good. All the indications were we would do a lot better than we’ve done.”

Nevertheless he still said the 2015 result was still a ‘huge improvement’ for UKIP.

“I think the hustings went well,” he said. “Our public meetings were extremely well received. I think those who heard me went away enthused and very positive.”

He said he also felt the party still had great potential in the area.

“I think we’re making progress and we will be back and each election we do better than the time before and I think it’s only a matter of time before we get there, but it’s a long haul - politics is a long game,” he said.

SUSSEX DECIDES: Chichester election results breakdown.