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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 is the clear winner 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. All 28 EU member states are electing MEPs.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's count does not begin until Monday, with the results expected on Tuesday. The UK had been due to leave the EU on 29 March, but when that deadline was missed, participation in the election became mandatory.
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%. Scotland is yet to formally declare, but with most votes counted, the SNP is on course for a resounding victory, with around 38% of the vote.
The Brexit Party dominated in Wales, with Plaid Cymru second. 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 had become.
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said this has been the worst performance for the Conservatives as a party going back to 1832.
"If this was a first-past-the-post election, they would not have taken a single seat," she said.
So far:So far:
All 28 EU member states are electing MEPs, and countries have been voting since Thursday. Conservative MP Helen Whately told the BBC her party had been expecting a bad night.
The UK is electing 73 MEPs for its 12 regions under a system of proportional representation. "We wanted to have left Europe by now. It is frustrating for us and for people who usually vote Conservative," she said.
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."
Brexiteer Tory Mark Francois said The Brexit Party had "romped it".Brexiteer Tory Mark Francois said The Brexit Party had "romped it".
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the elections had "become a proxy second referendum" after the Conservative's failue to deliver Brexit.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.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.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. In contrast to the two biggest parties, smaller ones with an unambiguous message on Brexit were rewarded.
"The Lib Dems are leading that Remain vote and have an awful lot to be pleased about." Lib Dem Sir Ed Davey said his party was "leading the Remain vote" and had "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 her party was "down, but we are not out", and agreed there had been a "massive swing to Remain".
She said the results showed there had been a "massive swing to Remain". Analysis: By polling expert Prof John Curtice
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. It's probably best read as approximating to a draw - between the Remain and Leave sides, that is. (I'm leaving out the nationalists.)
Two parties, both in favour of leaving without a deal overwhelmingly almost entirely supported by Leave voters: The Brexit Party and UKIP. Total vote: 35%
Three parties: the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and Change UK, all in favour of another referendum. Total vote: 35%.
I think the oddest truth is that what this election has done is two things.
One is to demonstrate just how polarised the public are on this issue.
The second is to remind us, as the opinion polls have been telling us, that support for Remain and support for Leave are still very close to each other.
The Brexit Party polled an average of 44% of the vote in council areas where more than 55% voted to Leave in 2016.
In areas where less than 45% voted Leave, the Lib Dems averaged 50% of the vote.In areas where less than 45% voted Leave, the Lib Dems averaged 50% of the vote.
Figures suggest that the turnout in some areas rose sharply, while others saw a fall compared with the last election in 2014.Figures suggest that the turnout in some areas rose sharply, while others saw a fall compared with 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.
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.