The Conservative Party vice chair Michael Fabricant has called on his party to recognise the policies from Ukip that are "working" - and said that his party's voice was "muffled and not crisp".

In a lengthy series of tweets published to his 9,992 followers on Friday night, MP Michael Fabricant, who has been one of the key figures leading the campaign for the third-placed Tory candidate Maria Hutchings in Eastleigh's by-election, said: "The only real winner was UKIP."

@Mike_Fabricant
Michael Fabricant

If #Eastleigh is anything to go by - and it WAS just a @byelection and NOT a Gen Elec - UKIP clearly connected with Conservative policies!

March 1, 2013 5:29 pm via web Reply Retweet Favorite

@DavidVick5
David Vick

@Mike_Fabricant UKIP is doing a perfectly good job projecting Conservative core policies and principles. That's why we're all voting for it

March 1, 2013 5:15 pm via web Reply Retweet Favorite

"Nigel Farage [Ukip's leader] is right, the UKIP message 'connects' with the electorate and it's not just Europe but crime, immigration, too.

"UKIP appealed to protest voters but also to Blue Collar Conservative voters. UKIP do not have the resources to fight 650 seats effectively at a General Election. Also this was almost certainly a protest vote. But no-one should write UKIP off. They will do well in the European elections (their very raison d'etre).

"UKIP are unlikely to do well in the General Election, but it is not toally impossible. The Conservatives need to 'connect' too."

He called on the Tories to change their "voice" to capture the Ukip voters. "The Conservative voice is muffled and not crisp. It does not clearly project Conservative core policies or principles.

"The party must now co-ordinate and simplify its message without policy distractions away from core principles.

"Everyone from the PM downwards must focus on the economy, immigration, crime, Europe and not allow other side policies distract."

In a tweet which seemed to refer to the recent gay marriage debate. "Of course, liberal policies do not distract Government from the core issues, but they are seen to do so by the electorate

"With UKIP clearly announcing policies the public want to hear, we must do the same."

@Mike_Fabricant
Michael Fabricant

#Eastleigh Only real winner was UKIP. Cons share fell by14%, Lib Dem share fell by 14.5% (!!), Labour (the Opposition) didn't move at all.

March 1, 2013 4:54 pm via web Reply Retweet Favorite

He also attacked Labour's fourth place in the by-election. "Ed Miliband should ask himself: Why did UKIP do well and Labour not improve?"

But he warned: "When two centre right, eurosceptic parties scrap with each other, it allows a leftish, pro-Europe Party to achieve power."

Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister David Cameron was attacked by Tory backbencher Eleanor Laing, who was scathing of the “hurtful” Tory leadership, who she said had abandoned “ordinary Conservative voters”.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's World At One, the MP for Epping Forest said, “ordinary Conservative voters don't feel that this government is in tune with them,” adding that Cameron and his Westminster coterie were not “tuning in to the hopes and fears of the vast majority of ordinary people out there in Britain today”.

WATCH: Hutchings' Bizarre Exit From Eastleigh Count

SEE ALSO: Crisis For Cameron As Ukip Beat Tories And Lib Dems Win

SPINNING AROUND: Conservatives Spin Loss As Victory For Coalition

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• Eastleigh by-election

  The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates (left) after the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where he won the by-election. Left to right: Mike Thornton, Lib Dem, John O'Farrell, Labour, Danny Stupple, Independent and Diane James, UKIP.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The Monster Raving Loony Party candidate congratulates the Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton and his wife Peta as they arrive to hear the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected Thornton will be announced the winner of the by-election.

• Liberal Democrats Hold On In Eastleigh; UKIP Tops Conservatives

  EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 01: Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates his win with party leader Nick Clegg at the Hampshire Cricket County on March 1, 2013 in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Liberal Democrat party managed to retain the seat of ex-Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne however UKIP managed to beat the Conservatives to second place. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

• Liberal Democrats Hold On In Eastleigh; UKIP Tops Conservatives

  EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 01: Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates his win with party leader Nick Clegg at the Hampshire Cricket County on March 1, 2013 in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Liberal Democrat party managed to retain the seat of ex-Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne however UKIP managed to beat the Conservatives to second place. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

• Liberal Democrats Hold On In Eastleigh; UKIP Tops Conservatives

  EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 01: Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates his win with party leader Nick Clegg at the Hampshire Cricket County on March 1, 2013 in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Liberal Democrat party managed to retain the seat of ex-Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne however UKIP managed to beat the Conservatives to second place. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

• Liberal Democrats Hold On In Eastleigh; UKIP Tops Conservatives

  EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 01: Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates his win with party leader Nick Clegg at the Hampshire Cricket County on March 1, 2013 in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Liberal Democrat party managed to retain the seat of ex-Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne however UKIP managed to beat the Conservatives to second place. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

• Liberal Democrats Hold On In Eastleigh; UKIP Tops Conservatives

  EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 01: Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates his win with party leader Nick Clegg at the Hampshire Cricket County on March 1, 2013 in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Liberal Democrat party managed to retain the seat of ex-Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne however UKIP managed to beat the Conservatives to second place. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

• Eastleigh by-election

  Diane James, the UKIP candidate with Mike Thornton after beating the Conservative party candidate Maria Hutchings into third place in the by-election at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire.

• Eastleigh by-election

  Diane James, the UKIP candidate celebrates after beating the Conservative party candidate Maria Hutchings into third place in the by-election at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire. Left to right: Mike Thornton, Lib Dem, John O'Farrell, Labour and Danny Stupple, Independent.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The Conservative party candidate Maria Hutchings leaves the count at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire without making a coment after caming third after the Lib Dems and UKIP in the by-election.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates with his wife Peta after the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where he won the by-election.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The Conservative party candidate Maria Hutchings at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where she came third after the Lib Dems and UKIP in the by-election.

• Eastleigh by-election

  Prime Minister David Cameron and Conservative candidate Maria Hutchings leaflet drop residential homes, before the imminent by-election in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The by-election has been called as its former MP, Chris Huhne, resigned after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice over claims his ex-wife took speeding points for him in 2003.

• Eastleigh by-election

  Chancellor George Osborne wears a high visibility jacket as he makes a visit to the Prysmian Group factory and speaks to (L- R) employee Raj Guru, factory manager Steve Price, CEO Paul Atkinson and Conservative candidate Maria Hutchings in the constituency of Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Conservative party minister visit to the energy and telecom cable maker was to meet the party's candidate Hutchings ahead of the Eastleigh by-election on February 28 to elect a new MP, after Chris Huhne was forced to resign.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton kisses his wife Peta as they arrive to hear the expected declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected he will be announced the winner of the by-election.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton and his wife Peta arrive to hear the expected declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected he will be announced the winner of the by-election.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton and his wife Peta arrive to hear the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected he will be announced the winner of the by-election.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates with his wife Peta (centre) and family after the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where he won the by-election.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton hugs his wife Peta as they arrive to hear the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected he will be announced the winner of the by-election.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The Monster Raving Loony Party candidate congratulates the Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton and his wife Peta as they arrive to hear the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected Thornton will be announced the winner of the by-election.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton and his wife Peta arrive to hear the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where it was expected he will be announced the winner of the by-election.

• Liberal Democrats Hold On In Eastleigh; UKIP Tops Conservatives

  EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE - MARCH 01: Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates his win with party leader Nick Clegg at the Hampshire Cricket County on March 1, 2013 in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The Liberal Democrat party managed to retain the seat of ex-Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne however UKIP managed to beat the Conservatives to second place. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

• Eastleigh by-election

  The Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton celebrates (left) after the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where he won the by-election. Left to right: Mike Thornton, Lib Dem, John O'Farrell, Labour, Danny Stupple, Independent and Diane James, UKIP.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today.

• Eastleigh by-election

  Conservative supporters share a packet of mints while waiting for the declaration at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today.

• Eastleigh by-election

  Labour leader Ed Miliband speaks to former Liberal Democrat voters during his visit Eastleigh in Hampshire where he met prospective parliamentary candidate John O' Farrell (right) during the by-election campaign.

• Eastleigh by-election

  A general view of the ballot papers being counted at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today.

• Eastleigh by-election

  A general view of the ballot papers being counted at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where the by-election was held today.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where a by-election was held today.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where a by-election was held today.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where a by-election was held today.

• Eastleigh by-election

  The first ballot boxes arrive for counting at Fleming Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire where a by-election was held today.