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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 was the clear winner in the UK European election results, with the pro-EU Lib Dems coming second.The Brexit Party was the clear winner in the UK European election results, with the pro-EU Lib Dems coming second.
The Conservatives and Labour suffered heavy losses, with the former heading for less than 10% of the vote.The Conservatives and Labour 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.
All 28 EU member states are electing MEPs. According to early results, the main centre-right and centre-left blocs in the European Parliament have lost ground, amid a surge in support for Eurosceptic parties.All 28 EU member states are electing MEPs. According to early results, the main centre-right and centre-left blocs in the European Parliament have lost ground, amid a surge in support for Eurosceptic parties.
The UK had been due to leave the EU on 29 March, but when that deadline was missed, participation in the election became mandatory.The UK had been due to leave the EU on 29 March, but when that deadline was missed, participation in the election became mandatory.
The Brexit Party topped the polls in every region of England apart from London. It also dominated in Wales, with Plaid Cymru second.The Brexit Party topped the polls in every region of England apart from London. It also dominated in Wales, with Plaid Cymru second.
Scotland is yet to formally declare, but with most votes counted, the SNP is on course for a resounding victory, with about 38% of the vote.Scotland is yet to formally declare, but with most votes counted, the SNP is on course for a resounding victory, with about 38% of the vote.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's count does not begin until Monday, with the results expected on Tuesday.Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's count does not begin until Monday, with the results expected on Tuesday.
Tories fifthTories fifth
Polling expert Sir John Curtice said the results showed just how polarised the country had become.Polling expert Sir John Curtice said the results showed just how polarised the country had become.
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said it was the worst performance for the Conservatives as a party going back to 1832.BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said it was 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."If this was a first-past-the-post election, they would not have taken a single seat," she said.
So far:So far:
Mr Farage said if the UK did not leave the EU by the new deadline of 31 October, these results would be repeated at a general election.Mr Farage said if the UK did not leave the EU by the new deadline of 31 October, these results would be repeated at a general election.
"Never before in British politics has a party just six weeks old won a national election," he tweeted."Never before in British politics has a party just six weeks old won a national election," he tweeted.
Brexiteer and Conservative MEP for the South East Daniel Hannan - one of only three Tory MEPs elected so far - told the BBC it was his party's "worst ever result".Brexiteer and Conservative MEP for the South East Daniel Hannan - one of only three Tory MEPs elected so far - told the BBC it was his party's "worst ever result".
"We voted to leave (the EU) and we haven't left - it's that simple," he said."We voted to leave (the EU) and we haven't left - it's that simple," he said.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the elections had "become a proxy second referendum" after the Conservative's failure to deliver Brexit. Tory leadership hopeful and former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the public had delivered "a crushing rebuke" to both major parties for failing to deliver Brexit.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn placed blame for that failure squarely with the Conservatives, arguing it meant the elections had "become a proxy second referendum".
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.
In contrast to the two biggest parties, smaller ones with an unambiguous message on Brexit were rewarded.In contrast to the two biggest parties, smaller ones with an unambiguous message on Brexit were rewarded.
Lib Dem Sir Ed Davey said his party was "leading the Remain vote" and had "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".
Green Party co-leader Sian Berry said the established parties had been rejected "so badly" and the public were "crying out for something new - they've seen that in the Green Party".Green Party co-leader Sian Berry said the established parties had been rejected "so badly" and the public were "crying out for something new - they've seen that in the Green Party".
She insisted the results were "not a victory" for The Brexit Party as voters had also shown support for Remain parties.She insisted the results were "not a victory" for The Brexit Party as voters had also shown support for Remain parties.
Change UK leader Heidi Allen told the BBC her party - newly formed from ex-Labour and Tory MPs - was "down, but we are not out".Change UK leader Heidi Allen told the BBC her party - newly formed from ex-Labour and Tory MPs - was "down, but we are not out".
Analysis: By polling expert Prof John Curtice
It's probably best read as approximating to a draw - between the Remain and Leave sides, that is. (I'm leaving out the nationalists.)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%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%.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.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.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 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. The highest Brexit Party votes were recorded in Castle Point, in Essex, (59%), and Boston (56%) and South Holland (55%), both in Lincolnshire.
In areas where less than 45% voted Leave, the Lib Dems averaged 50% of the vote. The best Lib Dem performances occurred in Gibraltar (77%), Richmond upon Thames (52%) and Kingston upon Thames (47%).
Figures suggest that the turnout in some areas rose sharply, while others saw a fall compared with the last election in 2014. The best Green performances were in Brighton and Hove (36%), Bristol (35%) and Stroud (28%).
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. Turnout was just below 37%. That puts it on course to be the second highest in any European election - second only to 2004 when the turnout was partly inflated by the use of all-postal ballots in some parts of England.
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. Places that voted most strongly to Remain in the referendum saw turnout increase more compared with the last election in 2014 than places which voted most heavily for Leave.
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.