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Tories 'may top Welsh Euro poll' Tories 'may top Welsh Euro poll'
(10 minutes later)
Welsh Labour is facing an historically bad result in the European elections, with a growing likelihood 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 happens, it will be the first time since 1922 that Labour has 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.
We did very badly in the 2004 European election but then we went on to win the general election the following year Europe Minister Glenys Kinnock, retiring MEP
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.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.
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.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.Early results were suggesting that the four seats will be divided between Labour, Conservatives, Plaid and UKIP.
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%
Retiring MEP and new Europe Minister Glenys Kinnock called it "a bad night for us".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.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.""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.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".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".She said she would not have a place in Cabinet in her new role and it was not something she was "bothered about".
Polling boothsPolling 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.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.
WELSH PARTIES' PERFORMANCES IN PAST EUROPEAN 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)
Whatever happened last Thursday at the polling booths, Wales will now have at least three new MEPs out of four.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 EUROPEAN 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".
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%.