Labour's Emma Lewell-Buck has won the South Shields parliamentary by-election, with Ukip's Richard Elvin second.
The 34-year-old social worker polled 12,493 votes - a majority of 6,505 - to become the town's first woman MP.
"It is humbling to follow in the footsteps of some great men but I can assure you all that this woman will walk her own way," she said.
The Northumbria University graduate, who read politics and media studies, claims to be a descendent of William Wouldhave, the inventor of the lifeboat.
"I'll tell you after this result David Cameron is going to be in need of such a vessel," she added.
"He has managed to negotiate HMS Coalition straght into the rocks."
In 2010, Labour's David Milliband - who stood down to take up a job in the US - polled 18,995 votes with a majority of 11,109.
Ukip candidate Richard Elvin, who received 5,988 votes, said: ''It's an absolutely fantastic result for Ukip.
''To come from nowhere to take 25 per cent at its first attempt is absolutely stunning.
''It's a message to all three mainstream parties that Ukip is the official opposition.
''We have proved that in Labour strongholds and we have done it again in South Shields.''
Results
- Emma Lewell-Buck (Lab) 12,493 (50.51%, -1.51%)
- Richard Elvin (UKIP) 5,988 (24.21%)
- Karen Allen (C) 2,857 (11.55%, -10.04%)
- Ahmed Khan (Ind) 1,331 (5.38%)
- Phil Brown (Ind Soc) 750 (3.03%)
- Lady Dorothy MacBeth Brookes (BNP) 711 (2.87%, -3.65%)
- Hugh Annand (Lib Dem) 352 (1.42%, -12.79%)
- Howling Laud Hope (Loony) 197 (0.80%)
- Thomas Darwood (Ind) 57 (0.23%)
- Lab maj 6,505 (26.30%)
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