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UK European elections 2019: Brexit Party dominates as Tories and Labour suffer UK European elections 2019: Brexit Party dominates as Tories and Labour suffer
(32 minutes later)
The Brexit Party has taken the lead in the UK European election results, with the pro-EU Lib Dems coming second.The Brexit Party has taken the lead in the UK European election results, with the pro-EU Lib Dems coming second.
The Conservatives and Labour have suffered heavy losses, with the former heading for less than 10% of the vote.The Conservatives and Labour have suffered heavy losses, with the former heading for less than 10% of the vote.
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said the two main parties "could learn a big message" from the results.Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said the two main parties "could learn a big message" from the results.
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 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.
Scotland is yet to declare, but the SNP is on course to increase its number of MEPs from two to three. The Brexit Party is predicted to win one.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's count does not begin until Monday, with the results expected on Tuesday.
Polling expert Sir John Curtice said the results showed just how polarised the country has become - the combined tally for the two parties in favour of no deal - UKIP and The Brexit Party - amounts to 35%. The combined tally for parties who want another referendum parties is 40%.
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. Brexiteer Tory Mark Francois said The Brexit Party had "romped it".
"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." Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the elections had "become a proxy second referendum" after the Conservative's failue to deliver Brexit.
He said his party would "reflect on these results on both sides of the Brexit divide" and the issue "will have to go back to the people" through a general election or a public vote.
Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson said the party needed to "urgently" re-think its Brexit position after the "disastrous" election results.
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 showed there had been a "massive swing to Remain".
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 averaged 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." Figures suggest that the turnout in some areas rose sharply, while others saw a fall compared with the last election in 2014.
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.
Turnout
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%.
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.Leavers want to Leave, Remainers want to Remain, and efforts to persuade people they should back something in the middle have failed.