THE Stand Up To Ukip campaign group hailed the far-right party’s failure to make a breakthrough as an “enormous victory” yesterday.

Despite predictions of major gains from party leader Nigel Farage, Ukip was left with only one seat after the election and Mr Farage was forced to stand down after failing to win in Thanet South.

Stand Up To Ukip joint convenor Jo Cardwell said: “Farage came to South Thanet thinking that he could divide working-class people by using racist scapegoating.

“But what Farage did not envisage was the level of resistance to both his Thatcherite politics and attempts to divide us,” Ms Cardwell said, while adding: “Neverthless, it is now crucial we are not complacent.

“Ukip have scored some high votes nationally off the back of the disgusting scapegoating of migrants that mainstream parties and the media have also been engaged in.

“It is essential now we continue to build a broad campaign to challenge Ukip’s racism, bigotry and anti-working class agenda so that legitimate anger around the effects of austerity is not misguidedly aimed at migrant and minority communities.”