A revolution is under way, says Sanders as he trounces Clinton in key primary

BERNIE SANDERS, the self-described socialist, declared a “political revolution” was under way in America as he humiliated Hillary Clinton in a key presidential vote.

Mr Sanders, 74, won 60 per cent to Mrs Clinton’s 38 per cent as New Hampshire became the second US state to make its choice in the race to become the Democratic Party’s nominee for the White House.

His victory came a week after he narrowly lost Iowa, the first state to vote. Mrs Clinton still leads in national polls.

At a raucous victory rally in a school gymnasium in Concord, New Hampshire, Mr Sanders said: “What started in Iowa, and the voters here in New Hampshire con- firmed tonight, is nothing short of the beginning of a political revolution. The people have said it is just too late for the same old establishment politics and establishment economics. We have sent a message that will echo from Wall Street to Washington that the government of our great country belongs to all of the people and not just a handful of the wealthy.”

In a concession speech Mrs Clinton, who defeated Barack Obama in New Hampshire in 2008, remained defiant. She said: “I’ve had a blessed life but I also know what it’s like to stumble and fall. I’ve learned that it’s not whether you fall that matters, it’s whether you get back up.”

Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Centre for Politics, said: “This is an anti-establishment year and Hillary Clinton had a blow out in New Hampshire. For the Clinton people there are a whole bunch of dilemmas and they’re going to have to find a way out.”

Nevada is the next state to hold a Democrat vote on Feb 20, followed by South Carolina on Feb 27. Mrs Clinton is far ahead in polls in both states.

Mr Sanders’ British-based brother Larry Sanders, 80, who lives in Oxford, said he expected the race would become “very competitive” and the “Clintons are going to get very dirty”.

Meanwhile, Mr Sanders immediately began courting the AfricanAmerican vote by flying to New York to meet civil rights leader The Rev Al Sharpton in Harlem.

Mr Sharpton said: “Senator Sanders coming here makes it clear that we will not be ignored.”