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Labour edges into second in European election Labour edges into second in European election
(about 2 hours later)
Victory in London has edged Labour ahead of the Conservatives in the European elections.Victory in London has edged Labour ahead of the Conservatives in the European elections.
Ed Miliband's party had hoped to beat UKIP to top the poll but with only Scotland left to declare, it was left in second place.Ed Miliband's party had hoped to beat UKIP to top the poll but with only Scotland left to declare, it was left in second place.
Labour's share of the vote was up almost 10% on the last time Europe went to the polls in 2009. Labour's share of the vote was up almost 10% on the last polls in 2009.
But deputy leader Harriet Harman acknowledged voters were turning to UKIP to "give us a shake-up". Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna said it was a "big improvement" but showed that victory in the 2015 general election was "not in the bag".
He told the BBC that Labour had not won a European election for more than 20 years and he welcomed the extra scrutiny that UKIP would get as a result of their victory.
The party came first in Wales, the North West and North East of England, as well as London, and is vying with the SNP for a repeat performance in Scotland.The party came first in Wales, the North West and North East of England, as well as London, and is vying with the SNP for a repeat performance in Scotland.
The BBC has predicted Labour and the SNP will get two seats in Scotland when the country declares later on Monday.The BBC has predicted Labour and the SNP will get two seats in Scotland when the country declares later on Monday.
'Did badly''Did badly'
People cast their votes across the UK on Thursday to elect 73 MEPs in 12 separate regional constituencies.People cast their votes across the UK on Thursday to elect 73 MEPs in 12 separate regional constituencies.
Labour was neck-and-neck with UKIP in opinion polls ahead of the European elections, but instead found itself battling with the Tories for second place.Labour was neck-and-neck with UKIP in opinion polls ahead of the European elections, but instead found itself battling with the Tories for second place.
Shadow just secretary Sadiq Khan said: "What's really important is to see how we progress bearing in mind how badly we did in 2009."Shadow just secretary Sadiq Khan said: "What's really important is to see how we progress bearing in mind how badly we did in 2009."
The Conservatives topped the vote five years ago and UKIP, with 16.5%, came slightly ahead of Labour on 15.7% - its worst night at the polls in modern history.The Conservatives topped the vote five years ago and UKIP, with 16.5%, came slightly ahead of Labour on 15.7% - its worst night at the polls in modern history.
With only Scotland's results to come, Labour has 18 MEPs, pulling in 25.4% of the votes. It is seven seats up on 2009.With only Scotland's results to come, Labour has 18 MEPs, pulling in 25.4% of the votes. It is seven seats up on 2009.
The Conservatives are neck and neck with Labour in terms of MEPs and are 3.8% down on their 2009 showing with 24%.The Conservatives are neck and neck with Labour in terms of MEPs and are 3.8% down on their 2009 showing with 24%.
But UKIP is set to top the poll, with 23 MEPs and 27.5% of the vote - up 11% on five years ago.But UKIP is set to top the poll, with 23 MEPs and 27.5% of the vote - up 11% on five years ago.
Ms Harman said: "People have said they are voting UKIP even if they are a Labour supporter in order to give us a shake-up."Ms Harman said: "People have said they are voting UKIP even if they are a Labour supporter in order to give us a shake-up."
Elsewhere:Elsewhere:
Labour topped the local elections in England on Thursday but fell short of the margin of victory some had said it needs to secure a majority at Westminster.Labour topped the local elections in England on Thursday but fell short of the margin of victory some had said it needs to secure a majority at Westminster.
It gained 338 councillors - a result leader Mr Miliband said showed it could win in 2015.It gained 338 councillors - a result leader Mr Miliband said showed it could win in 2015.