Downe’s UKIP leader Nigel Farage has failed to get into Parliament.

The former Dulwich College pupil, who grew up and lives in Downe, stood for Parliament in Thanet South but came second after losing to Conservative Craig Mackinlay by nearly 3,000 votes.

Mr Farage’s UKIP polled around 12.6 per cent of the vote but only managed to win one seat, with Douglas Carswell Tory defector retaining the seat in Clacton.

UKIP’s other MP, Mark Reckless, lost to the Conservative candidate Kelly Tolhurst.

Mr Farage had previously stated he would resign if he failed to win in Thanet South.

Speaking after the result was announced, Mr Farage praised UKIP’s breakthrough in the polls and took the opportunity to discuss the country’s electoral system.

He said: “We have a party in Britain who have got 50 per cent of the vote in one of the regions and almost 100 per cent of the seats.

“And we have another party that scored almost as many votes, four million, as well as the European elections last year, that has finished up with one seat in parliament.

"I think the time has come from real, genuine, radical political reform, and it is UKIP who will be the party that leads it.”

While he did not announce he resignation explicitly, he did hint at it.

He said: “On a professional level, I express today a degree of disappointment.

"On a personal level I feel an enormous weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I've never felt happier."

  • UPDATE: Mr Farage has now resigned as UKIP leader. Sort of. He said he'll take the summer off and there will be a leadership election in September, in which he may run.