Ukip polled just 6,487, gaining 23 percent of the votes cast, its share up three percent. It hasn't made a breakthrough even though, prior to the election, Farage was happily proclaiming that, "Corbyn is a gift to us in Oldham".

When it comes to the result, though, Ukip wasn't even close to taking the seat - and there was no sign whatsoever of an adverse Corbyn effect. In fact, Labour took its highest share of the vote on record, since the formation of the constituency in 1997. But then it was unlikely that Ukip ever would make significant headway - even though Farage is complaining vociferously over the postal vote. Its gains were made at the expense of the Conservatives.

The Conservatives were third on 2,596. The Liberal Democrats made 1,024 and the Greens 249. The Monster Raving Loony party were last, on 141.

It would be nice to think that Ukip will now focus on the real issue - the EU referendum - except that its capacity to damage the cause is such that we're probably better off when it is focusing on the political irrelevancy of a by-election. One might even wish for a succession of such events to keep the party out of the way, while we get on with fighting the campaign.

That is not to say that we do not wish to see Ukip members fighting. There are still some good people left in the party - seasoned campaigners. We would be pleased to be fighting alongside them. However, this fight is about people versus the politicians. They - like us - will need to fight without party political badging. And this contest we have to win.