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Labour slumps to historic defeat Labour slumps to historic defeat
(19 minutes later)
Labour has suffered its worst ever election result as it was beaten into third place by UKIP and saw the BNP gain its first seats at Brussels.Labour has suffered its worst ever election result as it was beaten into third place by UKIP and saw the BNP gain its first seats at Brussels.
Labour's projected share of the vote at the European elections was just 15.7% - worse than party bosses had feared.Labour's projected share of the vote at the European elections was just 15.7% - worse than party bosses had feared.
The Tories won with 27%, beating Labour in Wales but failing to significantly increase their overall share.The Tories won with 27%, beating Labour in Wales but failing to significantly increase their overall share.
The results sent shockwaves through British politics and led to renewed calls for Gordon Brown to quit as PM.The results sent shockwaves through British politics and led to renewed calls for Gordon Brown to quit as PM.
The BNP gained a seat in Yorkshire and Humberside and in the North-West of England, where party leader Nick Griffin was elected - the first time the anti-immigration party has won seats at national elections.The BNP gained a seat in Yorkshire and Humberside and in the North-West of England, where party leader Nick Griffin was elected - the first time the anti-immigration party has won seats at national elections.
Their result was condemned across the political spectrum, with both the Tories and Labour calling it a "sad day" for British politics.Their result was condemned across the political spectrum, with both the Tories and Labour calling it a "sad day" for British politics.
Daniel Hannan: "You can go by foot, you can go by cow, Gordon Brown, will you please go now"
But in his victory speech, Mr Griffin said: "The waters of truth and justice are once again flowing freely over this country. It is a great victory. We go on from here."But in his victory speech, Mr Griffin said: "The waters of truth and justice are once again flowing freely over this country. It is a great victory. We go on from here."
With Labour staring at the worst result in its history, with results in the Western Isles of Scotland and Northern Ireland still to come, and the other Westminster parties effectively treading water on their 2004 results, it was left to the smaller parties to make gains.With Labour staring at the worst result in its history, with results in the Western Isles of Scotland and Northern Ireland still to come, and the other Westminster parties effectively treading water on their 2004 results, it was left to the smaller parties to make gains.
UKIP 'achievement'UKIP 'achievement'
Labour was beaten into fifth place behind the Greens in two English regions - the South-East and South-West, where its vote halved on 2004 and was the only region so far not to elect a Labour MEP.Labour was beaten into fifth place behind the Greens in two English regions - the South-East and South-West, where its vote halved on 2004 and was the only region so far not to elect a Labour MEP.
Daniel Hannan: "You can go by foot, you can go by cow, Gordon Brown, will you please go now" UKIP gained 17% of the vote and increased its number of MEPs to 13 - beating Labour
UKIP Leader Nigel Farage said his party's performance in was a "hell of an achievement," as its chances were written off by some pundits ahead of the campaign. Leader Nigel Farage said his party's performance in was a "hell of an achievement," as its chances were written off by some pundits ahead of the campaign and it had not had a chance to debate the EU fully.
We are advancing in all parts of the country William HagueConservatives Falconer urges leadership debate Brown defiant over leadership SNP on track for Euro poll first Tories top European poll in Wales
He said it sent a clear signal to Gordon Brown: "If we have beaten him, he has got to go."He said it sent a clear signal to Gordon Brown: "If we have beaten him, he has got to go."
The Greens increased their share of the vote to 9% but leader Caroline Lucas blamed the electoral system for her party's failure to gain more than its current two MEPs.The Greens increased their share of the vote to 9% but leader Caroline Lucas blamed the electoral system for her party's failure to gain more than its current two MEPs.
We are advancing in all parts of the country William HagueConservatives Falconer urges leadership debate Brown defiant over leadership SNP on track for Euro poll first Tories top European poll in Wales
"Even though our share of the vote has gone up by about 50% our representation hasn't," she said."Even though our share of the vote has gone up by about 50% our representation hasn't," she said.
Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan, whose YouTube attack on Gordon Brown became a worldwide hit - said Labour was enduring its worst poll performance since it became a national party in the 1920s.Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan, whose YouTube attack on Gordon Brown became a worldwide hit - said Labour was enduring its worst poll performance since it became a national party in the 1920s.
BNP chief rejects 'racist' tag
"I am not sure people have a complete grasp of the magnitude of what is happening," he told BBC News."I am not sure people have a complete grasp of the magnitude of what is happening," he told BBC News.
Pressure on BrownPressure on Brown
And he repeated Conservative calls for a general election, saying: "The only reason now for keeping Gordon Brown is fear of the electorate".And he repeated Conservative calls for a general election, saying: "The only reason now for keeping Gordon Brown is fear of the electorate".
Labour group leader Glennis Willmott blamed Labour's disastrous showing on the Westminster expenses scandal, which she said was the "only thing people were talking about" on the doorstep".Labour group leader Glennis Willmott blamed Labour's disastrous showing on the Westminster expenses scandal, which she said was the "only thing people were talking about" on the doorstep".
But she called on the party to rally behind Mr Brown.But she called on the party to rally behind Mr Brown.
BNP wins European parliament seat In Scotland, SNP leader Alex Salmond hailed a "historic" victory after the Nationalists hammered Labour.
Across Scotland the SNP secured 29% of the vote to Labour's 21%, comfortably achieving the target the SNP leader had set his party at the start of the campaign.
It was a long night of painful firsts for the Labour Party Nick Robinson Read more from Nick
The turnout, with Northern Ireland yet to declare, is heading for around a third of the vote, down 4% from 2004, but that is largely down to the fact that some areas had all-postal ballots last time. There was no sign that the expenses scandal had led to a boycott of the polls.
The results are likely to pile further pressure on Gordon Brown, who faces a crunch meeting of Labour MPs on Monday, which may decide his future.The results are likely to pile further pressure on Gordon Brown, who faces a crunch meeting of Labour MPs on Monday, which may decide his future.
Former Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer repeated his call for a new leader to re-unify the party. Burnham: 'Sad day for British politics'
Former Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer earlier repeated his call for a new leader to re-unify the party.
"I think unity will only come with a leader that the mainstream votes for," he said."I think unity will only come with a leader that the mainstream votes for," he said.
In Scotland, the Nationalists were outpolling Labour by a clear margin in the early results.
The SNP looked certain to finish the night ahead of Labour in the popular vote - achieving the goal which SNP leader Alex Salmond had set his party.
The Brown leadership crisis may not produce a change of leader but it is already producing changes in policy. Nick Robinson Read more from Nick
The turnout, with Scotland and Northern Ireland yet to declare, is heading for around a third of the vote.
In the English local elections held on Thursday the Conservatives got a projected 38% of the vote, the Lib Dems 28% and Labour 23%.In the English local elections held on Thursday the Conservatives got a projected 38% of the vote, the Lib Dems 28% and Labour 23%.