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SNP on track for Euro poll first SNP on track for Euro poll first
(10 minutes later)
The SNP is on track to take the largest share of the European election vote in Scotland for the first time. The SNP is on track to win the largest share of the European election vote in Scotland for the first time.
The Nationalists took a 29.2% share of the vote - a 10% increase, ahead of Labour's 21%. The Tories were third and the Conservatives came fourth. The Nationalists took 29.2% of the vote - a 10% increase, ahead of Labour's 21%. The Tories were third on 17% and the Conservatives came fourth, on 17%.
The result means the SNP and Labour will return two MEPs each, with one each for the Tories and Lib Dems. The result means the SNP and Labour are set to return two MEPs each, with one each for the Tories and Lib Dems.
Votes in the Western Isles, which does not count votes on the Sabbath, have yet to be declared.Votes in the Western Isles, which does not count votes on the Sabbath, have yet to be declared.
Labour is bracing itself for a bad result across the UK as pressure continues on Gordon Brown's leadership.Labour is bracing itself for a bad result across the UK as pressure continues on Gordon Brown's leadership.
Key results saw the SNP taking first place in Edinburgh with the Tories second, Labour third and the Lib Dems fourth. Key results in Scotland saw the SNP taking first place in Edinburgh with the Tories second, Labour third and the Lib Dems fourth.
And the Tories were first in East Renfrewshire - the Westminster seat held by Scottish secretary Jim Murphy. And the Tories were first in East Renfrewshire - the Westminster seat held by Scottish secretary Jim Murphy, with the SNP second and Labour third.
EURO ELECTIONS - SCOTTISH RESULTS, MINUS WESTERN ISLES SNP - 318,360 votes (29.2%)Labour - 228,731 votes (21%)Tory - 185,283 votes (17%)Lib Dem 126,749 votes (11.6%)Swing to SNP - 7.46%Turnout - 28%EURO ELECTIONS - SCOTTISH RESULTS, MINUS WESTERN ISLES SNP - 318,360 votes (29.2%)Labour - 228,731 votes (21%)Tory - 185,283 votes (17%)Lib Dem 126,749 votes (11.6%)Swing to SNP - 7.46%Turnout - 28%
The SNP came second and Labour was third in the area.
Scotland's deputy first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said: "The Labour vote has absolutely collapsed.Scotland's deputy first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said: "The Labour vote has absolutely collapsed.
"We can take two broad messages from that - firstly these election results, although they're European elections, have to be taken as an enormous vote of confidence in the SNP Government."We can take two broad messages from that - firstly these election results, although they're European elections, have to be taken as an enormous vote of confidence in the SNP Government.
She added: "People have lost faith completely with Labour."She added: "People have lost faith completely with Labour."
Stirling Labour MP Anne McGuire said her party would take stock of Labour's share of the popular vote in the Euro polls.Stirling Labour MP Anne McGuire said her party would take stock of Labour's share of the popular vote in the Euro polls.
'Pretty pleased''Pretty pleased'
"Sometimes, we have to put elections into some sort of perspective," she said, adding: "It's not the night that I would wish for, but the SNP did spectacularly badly at the last Euro elections.""Sometimes, we have to put elections into some sort of perspective," she said, adding: "It's not the night that I would wish for, but the SNP did spectacularly badly at the last Euro elections."
Willie Rennie, the Liberal Democrat MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, said he was "pretty pleased" with the result.Willie Rennie, the Liberal Democrat MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, said he was "pretty pleased" with the result.
He said: "In European elections, we don't tend to do as well as we do in other elections like locals or the general. But this time we've held up our vote."He said: "In European elections, we don't tend to do as well as we do in other elections like locals or the general. But this time we've held up our vote."
Shadow Scottish Secretary David Mundell, said: "I'm particularly pleased that we've polled very well in the areas that we need to win additional seats at Westminster - East Renfrewshire, Dumfries and Galloway, the Borders and seats like Edinburgh South."Shadow Scottish Secretary David Mundell, said: "I'm particularly pleased that we've polled very well in the areas that we need to win additional seats at Westminster - East Renfrewshire, Dumfries and Galloway, the Borders and seats like Edinburgh South."
Scotland, which is counted as a single region in European parliamentary terms, will return six MEPs - one fewer than in the last parliament.Scotland, which is counted as a single region in European parliamentary terms, will return six MEPs - one fewer than in the last parliament.
Candidates from across Scotland will hear their fate when the official announcement is made from the historic Mercat Cross in Edinburgh on Monday morning.Candidates from across Scotland will hear their fate when the official announcement is made from the historic Mercat Cross in Edinburgh on Monday morning.