But which party is Ukip the biggest threat to now?
Labour
In a result that surprised Ukip after weeks of talking down their prospects, the party came within 617 votes of seizing the Labour stronghold of Heywood and Middleton, winning 11,016 votes and 38.7 per cent of the vote.
Labour won 11,633 votes, or 40.9 per cent, with its lead cut from around 6,000.
Labour points out that its share of the vote in Heywood and Middleton is slightly up on 2010.
The Tory/Lib Dem combined share of the vote collapsed from 50 per cent in 2010 to 17 per cent now, Labour says.
However, the Heywood election shows that Ukip now has a legitimate claim to be Labour's biggest challenge in the North.
There are at least five Labour constituencies - mostly in the North - that are under direct threat from Ukip: Great Grimsby, Dudley North, Plymouth Moor View, Rother Valley and Rotherham.
If Labour is unable to stem the Ukip tide in its northern heartlands, Ed Miliband's chances of securing a majority in the 2015 election will be severely dented.
Ed Miiband, PA
Who is Ukip the biggest threat to now?
Conservatives
Douglas Carswell recorded a resounding victory over his Tory challenger with 59.6 per cent of the vote and an increased majority of 12,404 - six weeks after rocking Westminster by defecting from the Tories.
The Tories had hoped to halve Mr Carswell's majority from over 12,000 in order to stave off other defections and have a chance of winning the seat back in May's general election.
In the event, Mr Carswell, who triggered a by-election after defecting from the Tories, saw his share of the vote go up.
Tory strategists had doubted he would win more than 50 per cent.
The scale of the victory has shocked Tory strategists and represents a major blow ahead of the election.
There are at least five Conservative seats where Ukip is currently ahead in the polls: Boston and Skegness, South Thanet, North Thanet, Thurrock, Great Yarmouth.
However, there are scores of Tory seats that could be lost to Labour because of the Ukip surge.
With the polls showing the Conservatives and Labour are neck and neck, the marginal constituencies are critical.
If the Ukip vote does not dissipate in the seven months ahead of the election, it will be impossible for David Cameron to win a majority.
David Cameron
Posted by Unknown on Friday, October 10, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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