This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48417228

The article has changed 33 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
European elections 2019: Tories and Labour suffer UK European elections 2019: Brexit Party dominates as Tories and Labour suffer
(32 minutes later)
The UK's two main parties - the Conservatives and Labour - have had a disappointing night so far in the European elections. The Brexit Party has taken the lead in the UK European election results, with the pro-EU Lib Dems coming second.
The Brexit Party and the pro-EU Lib Dems have both seen surges as voters split along Leave and Remain lines. The Conservatives and Labour have suffered heavy losses, with the former heading for less than 10% of the vote.
Eight out of 12 regions have declared so far, including Remain-backing London, where the Tories came fifth and the Lib Dems won. Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said the two main parties "could learn a big message" from the results.
In the Leave-voting North East, The Brexit Party won 39% of the vote. Overall, out of 64 MEPs declared, Mr Farage's party has won 28, the Lib Dems 15, Labour 10, Greens seven, the Tories three and Plaid Cymru one.
Overall, out of 46 MEPs declared so far, Nigel Farage's party has won 21, the Lib Dems 10, Labour seven, Green five, Conservatives two and Plaid Cymru one.
So far:So far:
All 28 EU member states are electing MEPs, and countries have been voting since Thursday.All 28 EU member states are electing MEPs, and countries have been voting since Thursday.
The UK is electing 73 MEPs for its 12 regions under a system of proportional representation.The UK is electing 73 MEPs for its 12 regions under a system of proportional representation.
Conservative MP Helen Whately told the BBC: "We knew these were going to be bad elections.Conservative MP Helen Whately told the BBC: "We knew these were going to be bad elections.
"We wanted to have left Europe by now. It is frustrating for us and for people who usually vote Conservative.""We wanted to have left Europe by now. It is frustrating for us and for people who usually vote Conservative."
Labour's shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry told the BBC: "We are going to get a kicking.Labour's shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry told the BBC: "We are going to get a kicking.
"The point is we went into an election where the most important issue was our view on leaving the EU. And we were not clear on the one thing people wanted to hear.""The point is we went into an election where the most important issue was our view on leaving the EU. And we were not clear on the one thing people wanted to hear."
Alastair Campbell, former spin doctor to Tony Blair and prominent member of the People's Vote campaign for another referendum, said for the first time in his life he had voted for the Lib Dems.Alastair Campbell, former spin doctor to Tony Blair and prominent member of the People's Vote campaign for another referendum, said for the first time in his life he had voted for the Lib Dems.
Lib Dem Sir Ed Davey said: "If you add up all the votes of the Remain parties, there is a strong message.Lib Dem Sir Ed Davey said: "If you add up all the votes of the Remain parties, there is a strong message.
"The Lib Dems are leading that Remain vote and have an awful lot to be pleased about.""The Lib Dems are leading that Remain vote and have an awful lot to be pleased about."
Change UK leader Heidi Allen told the BBC that her party, which has not won any seats so far, was "down, but we are not out".Change UK leader Heidi Allen told the BBC that her party, which has not won any seats so far, was "down, but we are not out".
She said the results so far showed there had been a "massive swing to Remain".She said the results so far showed there had been a "massive swing to Remain".
In early results, The Brexit Party is running at an average of 44% of the vote in those council areas where more than 55% voted to Leave in 2016. The Brexit Party is running at an average of 44% of the vote in those council areas where more than 55% voted to Leave in 2016.
In areas where less than 45% voted Leave, the Lib Dems are averaging 50% of the vote.In areas where less than 45% voted Leave, the Lib Dems are averaging 50% of the vote.
Prof Curtice said: "It is not unlikely that the initial interest in tonight's results, apart from how well the Brexit Party does, is the status of the race for second place - some polling has suggested it is close between Labour and the Lib Dems."Prof Curtice said: "It is not unlikely that the initial interest in tonight's results, apart from how well the Brexit Party does, is the status of the race for second place - some polling has suggested it is close between Labour and the Lib Dems."
He said that for the Lib Dems to overtake Labour they need just over a 9% swing across Britain as a whole.He said that for the Lib Dems to overtake Labour they need just over a 9% swing across Britain as a whole.
"So whether or not they meet this target in the early results could well prove to be a crucial indicator to the overall picture tonight," he said."So whether or not they meet this target in the early results could well prove to be a crucial indicator to the overall picture tonight," he said.
TurnoutTurnout
Figures suggest that the turnout in some areas has risen sharply, while others have seen a fall compared to the last election in 2014.Figures suggest that the turnout in some areas has risen sharply, while others have seen a fall compared to the last election in 2014.
Wales saw the highest increase in turnout, with a five percentage point increase to 37.3%. The South East, South West and North East also saw a boost in the number of people casting their vote.Wales saw the highest increase in turnout, with a five percentage point increase to 37.3%. The South East, South West and North East also saw a boost in the number of people casting their vote.
But in Northern Ireland turnout fell nearly six percentage points to 45.1%, while smaller drops were also recorded in the West Midlands, North West and Eastern regions.But in Northern Ireland turnout fell nearly six percentage points to 45.1%, while smaller drops were also recorded in the West Midlands, North West and Eastern regions.
The total turnout in 2014, in terms of valid votes cast, was 35.4%.The total turnout in 2014, in terms of valid votes cast, was 35.4%.
Both of our big main parties are being punished severely for the meltdown in Westminster over Brexit.Both of our big main parties are being punished severely for the meltdown in Westminster over Brexit.
The flip-side for the smaller parties? The Lib Dems are buoyant and of course, Nigel Farage is back with a vengeance.The flip-side for the smaller parties? The Lib Dems are buoyant and of course, Nigel Farage is back with a vengeance.
A European election may not be a direct proxy for a UK general election, but nevertheless, after tonight, millions of voters in regions up and down the country will be represented by parties other than the big two.A European election may not be a direct proxy for a UK general election, but nevertheless, after tonight, millions of voters in regions up and down the country will be represented by parties other than the big two.
It also casts doubt on the idea that compromise can win out. Instead, the clear message seems to be that people want clarity - whether that be Leave or Remain - when it comes to Brexit.It also casts doubt on the idea that compromise can win out. Instead, the clear message seems to be that people want clarity - whether that be Leave or Remain - when it comes to Brexit.
Leavers want to Leave, Remainers want to Remain, and efforts to persuade people they should back something in the middle have failed.