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Brexit Party's Ann Widdecombe wins South West seat | Brexit Party's Ann Widdecombe wins South West seat |
(32 minutes later) | |
Ann Widdecombe won one of three seats for the Brexit Party in the South West of England, despite overall vote share tipping in favour of Remain parties. | |
The former MP said the result reaffirms the 2016 referendum and warned that if there was a general election the main parties would face "carnage". | |
However, combined results show remain parties the Lib Dems and Greens with 41.2% of the vote in the region. | |
The Liberal Democrats took two seats, with the Green Party taking one. | |
Martin Horwood and Caroline Voaden took the two Lib Dem seats, with Molly Scott Cato retaining a seat for the Greens. | |
The other winners for the Brexit Party were James Glancy and Christina Jordan. | The other winners for the Brexit Party were James Glancy and Christina Jordan. |
Ms Widdecombe said: "It's very clear... there was only ever one reason for voting for the Brexit Party - and that is what the nation has done, big time. | Ms Widdecombe said: "It's very clear... there was only ever one reason for voting for the Brexit Party - and that is what the nation has done, big time. |
"What this does is send a very clear message to Westminster - again - that if they don't sort out leave, at the next general election both the big parties are going to face carnage. | "What this does is send a very clear message to Westminster - again - that if they don't sort out leave, at the next general election both the big parties are going to face carnage. |
"We shouldn't even be having these elections. These elections are a clear demonstration of the farce that has enveloped Westminster. | "We shouldn't even be having these elections. These elections are a clear demonstration of the farce that has enveloped Westminster. |
"I want a clean Brexit and that is where we have to put our pressure." | "I want a clean Brexit and that is where we have to put our pressure." |
Lib Dem MEP Mr Horwood, the former Cheltenham MP, said that the South West was "not such a leave region now". | |
He added that the "Lib Dems, Greens and Change UK beat Brexit Party and UKIP in the popular vote across the South West". | |
Green MEP Molly Scott Cato thanked supporters "for putting your trust in me again". | |
The Brexit Party took 36.7% of the vote, while the Conservatives lost more than 20% of their support in the region. | The Brexit Party took 36.7% of the vote, while the Conservatives lost more than 20% of their support in the region. |
Of the remain parties, the Lib Dems were up by more than 12% while the Greens were up by 7% - giving the two parties 41.2% of the vote. | |
Boris Johnson's sister Rachel Johnson, who stood for Change UK, failed to win a seat. |