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Tories 'may top Welsh Euro poll' Tories 'may top Welsh Euro poll'
(20 minutes later)
Welsh Labour is facing an historically bad result in the European elections, with the possibility that the Conservatives may top the poll. Welsh Labour is facing an historically bad result in the European elections, with a growing likelihood that the Conservatives may top the poll.
If that happened, it would be the first time since 1922 that Labour had not come first in a Welsh election. If that happens, it will be the first time since 1922 that Labour has not come first in a Welsh election.
BBC Wales political editor Betsan Powys said the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) may also win a Welsh seat.BBC Wales political editor Betsan Powys said the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) may also win a Welsh seat.
Earlier, Welsh Secretary Peter Hain warned that it may be one of the worst results in recent Welsh Labour history.Earlier, Welsh Secretary Peter Hain warned that it may be one of the worst results in recent Welsh Labour history.
Betsan Powys said there were rumours at the election count in Haverfordwest that the Tories may beat Labour in the overall vote.Betsan Powys said there were rumours at the election count in Haverfordwest that the Tories may beat Labour in the overall vote.
Early results are suggesting that the four seats will be divided between Labour, Conservatives, Plaid Cymru and the anti-European Union UKIP. With half of the Welsh constituencies declared, it seemed clear that the Conservatives were on course to become the largest party in Wales for the first time in modern political history.
Whatever happened on Thursday at the polling booths, Wales will now have at least three new MEPs out of four. Labour appeared to be just ahead of Plaid Cymru, but the level of support for UKIP seemed to suggest that the anti-European Union party will have an MEP from Wales for the first time.
2004 EURO ELECTION - WALES Labour: 32.5%Conservatives: 19.4%Plaid Cymru: 17.4%Lib Dems: 10.5%UKIP: 10.5%Greens: 3.6%BNP: 3%Turnout: 41.9%
Early results were suggesting that the four seats will be divided between Labour, Conservatives, Plaid and UKIP.
Retiring MEP and new Europe Minister Glenys Kinnock called it "a bad night for us".
But she told the BBC: "We did very badly in the 2004 European election but then we went on to win the general election the following year.
"If we go head to head with the Tories I still think we can turn things around."
Mrs Kinnock said she was surprised to have been made a minister in Gordon Brown's reshuffle on Friday.
But, asked about predecessor Caroline Flint's parting criticism of the prime minister, she denied that she had been brought in as "window dressing".
She said she would not have a place in Cabinet in her new role and it was not something she was "bothered about".
Polling booths
She said she was honoured to have been given the job and wanted to get down to communicating the importance of Europe to the UK.
Whatever happened last Thursday at the polling booths, Wales will now have at least three new MEPs out of four.
That is because three of the previous four - Labour's Glenys Kinnock and Eluned Morgan, and Conservative Jonathan Evans - are standing down. The only MEP fighting again is Plaid Cymru's Jill Evans.That is because three of the previous four - Labour's Glenys Kinnock and Eluned Morgan, and Conservative Jonathan Evans - are standing down. The only MEP fighting again is Plaid Cymru's Jill Evans.
WELSH PARTIES' PERFORMANCES IN PAST EURO ELECTIONS Lab: best - 1994 (56%, 5 MEPs); worst - 1999 (32%, 2 MEPs)Con: best - 1979 (36%, 1 MEP); worst - 1994 (14%, 0 MEPs)Plaid: best - 1999 (29%, 2 MEPs); worst - 1979 (11%, 0 MEPs)Lib D: best - 1984 (17.4%, 0 MEPs); worst - 1989 (3.2%, 0 MEPs)
Labour won two of the four seats in 2004, with Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives each winning one.Labour won two of the four seats in 2004, with Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives each winning one.
But Mr Hain said it would be "very tough for us to hold onto the two seats".But Mr Hain said it would be "very tough for us to hold onto the two seats".
2004 EURO ELECTION - WALES Labour: 32.5%Conservatives: 19.4%Plaid Cymru: 17.4%Lib Dems: 10.5%UKIP: 10.5%Greens: 3.6%BNP: 3%Turnout: 41.9%
The Neath MP, who returned to the Cabinet on Friday in Prime Minister Gordon Brown's reshuffle, had told the BBC Wales Politics Show that voters were angry with all parties over MPs' expenses.The Neath MP, who returned to the Cabinet on Friday in Prime Minister Gordon Brown's reshuffle, had told the BBC Wales Politics Show that voters were angry with all parties over MPs' expenses.
But he said Labour was "carrying the can" as the party of government.But he said Labour was "carrying the can" as the party of government.
In 2004 Welsh Labour won 32.5% of the vote, Conservatives 19.4%, Plaid Cymru 17.4%, UKIP and the Liberal Democrats 10.5% each, Greens 3.6%, and BNP 3%. There was a turnout of 41.9%.In 2004 Welsh Labour won 32.5% of the vote, Conservatives 19.4%, Plaid Cymru 17.4%, UKIP and the Liberal Democrats 10.5% each, Greens 3.6%, and BNP 3%. There was a turnout of 41.9%.
In Wales, Labour's best performance in European elections was in 1994, when it won 55.9%, and returned all of the five MEPs. Labour's worst showing was in 1999, with 31.9%, and two of the five seats.
Welsh Tories' best European showing was in 1979, with 36.6% and one of the four MEPs. The Tories' worst was in 1994, with 14.6% and no seats.
Plaid's best was in 1999 (29.6%, two of five seats), and worst in 1979 (11.7%, no seats), while Lib Dems' top performance was in 1984 (17.4%) and their worst in 1989 (3.2%). However, the Lib Dems have never returned a Welsh MEP.