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UKIP surge in early Euro election results UKIP on course to top European election in UK
(35 minutes later)
UKIP appears to be on course to top the poll in the European elections, with the first results starting to come in. UKIP appears to be on course to top the poll in the UK European elections.
Labour are significantly up on their 2009 vote - the worst result in the party's modern history. Labour's vote is up significantly on 2009 - a historic low for the party - but it is vying with the Tories for second place.
The Conservatives are down slightly - but the Lib Dems are down nearly 8%, raising fears they could be beaten into fifth by the Green Party. Lib Dem president Tim Farron said his party, which has come fifth behind the Green Party in every region so far, faced losing all 11 of its MEPs.
A total of 73 MEPs will be elected from nine regions in England as well as Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.A total of 73 MEPs will be elected from nine regions in England as well as Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Voting took place on Thursday but the UK had to wait until polls closed in other EU states before declaring.Voting took place on Thursday but the UK had to wait until polls closed in other EU states before declaring.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage said his party was on track to win the European elections, which "will be an earthquake because never before in the history of British politics has a party seen to be an insurgent party ever topped the polls in a national election".UKIP leader Nigel Farage said his party was on track to win the European elections, which "will be an earthquake because never before in the history of British politics has a party seen to be an insurgent party ever topped the polls in a national election".
Roger Helmer, UKIP's candidate in the forthcoming Newark by-election, was elected as the party's leader candidate in the East Midlands.Roger Helmer, UKIP's candidate in the forthcoming Newark by-election, was elected as the party's leader candidate in the East Midlands.
DisaffectionDisaffection
Conservative party chairman Grant Shapps said the results were acting as "a command for Britain to get a better deal" in Europe - but he rejected calls to bring forward the in/out EU referendum to 2016, saying negotiations on this could not be rushed. Conservative party chairman Grant Shapps said the results were acting as "a command for Britain to get a better deal" in Europe - but he rejected calls by Tory grandee David Davis to bring forward the in/out EU referendum to 2016, saying negotiations on this could not be rushed.
Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman said UKIP had tapped into people's disaffection with politics, adding that it was important to her party that Labour beat the Tories into second place.Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman said UKIP had tapped into people's disaffection with politics, adding that it was important to her party that Labour beat the Tories into second place.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander did not rule out the Liberal Democrats finishing fifth behind the Green Party - but said he expected to retain some MEPs. Pressed on the likelihood of the Lib Dems returning no MEPs, Mr Farron agreed: "It does look like we could have none."
"Some people have been predicting that we will end up with no MEPs at all. I suspect we will end up in the very low single figures," he said. He claimed the Lib Dems had been the only party to stand up to UKIP and anti-Europeanism, but said that policy "may have cost us votes". He told BBC News: "Nick Clegg has fought and led our campaign bravely ... we took the unpopular side of the argument, and we have been punished. But I tell you what, I would do it all over again."
BNP leader Nick Griffin apparently conceded he would no longer be a MEP in the North West in a tweet from his Twitter account nickgriffinmep.BNP leader Nick Griffin apparently conceded he would no longer be a MEP in the North West in a tweet from his Twitter account nickgriffinmep.
He wrote: "If anyone can tell me how to change my Twitter title without losing the account I'd be obliged:)"He wrote: "If anyone can tell me how to change my Twitter title without losing the account I'd be obliged:)"
Anti-EU parties from the left and right are expected to gain significant numbers of MEPs across all 28 member states in the wake of the eurozone crisis and severe financial squeeze.Anti-EU parties from the left and right are expected to gain significant numbers of MEPs across all 28 member states in the wake of the eurozone crisis and severe financial squeeze.
The far right anti-EU National Front was forecast to win in France, according to exit polls.The far right anti-EU National Front was forecast to win in France, according to exit polls.
In Denmark, the anti-immigration Popular Party is also reported to be ahead in exit polls.In Denmark, the anti-immigration Popular Party is also reported to be ahead in exit polls.
Pro-EU parties are still expected to hold the majority in parliament. Turnout across the EU is up slightly at 43.1%, according to estimates.Pro-EU parties are still expected to hold the majority in parliament. Turnout across the EU is up slightly at 43.1%, according to estimates.
In the European elections five years ago, The Conservatives got 27.7% of the total vote, ahead of UKIP on 16.5%, Labour on 15.7%, the Lib Dems on 13.7%, the Green Party on 8.6% and the BNP on 6.2%.In the European elections five years ago, The Conservatives got 27.7% of the total vote, ahead of UKIP on 16.5%, Labour on 15.7%, the Lib Dems on 13.7%, the Green Party on 8.6% and the BNP on 6.2%.
UKIP has been celebrating gains in Thursday's council elections in England, which saw it add 161 councillors and led Mr Farage to predict it could get its first MPs elected next year.UKIP has been celebrating gains in Thursday's council elections in England, which saw it add 161 councillors and led Mr Farage to predict it could get its first MPs elected next year.
The Green Party of England and Wales has set itself a target of tripling its representation from two to six MEPs and of finishing ahead of the Lib Dems in fourth place.The Green Party of England and Wales has set itself a target of tripling its representation from two to six MEPs and of finishing ahead of the Lib Dems in fourth place.
The BNP won two seats in 2009 after getting 6.2% share of the vote but opinion polls have suggested their nationwide support has fallen sharply since then and they could struggle to retain these seats.The BNP won two seats in 2009 after getting 6.2% share of the vote but opinion polls have suggested their nationwide support has fallen sharply since then and they could struggle to retain these seats.
'Closed list''Closed list'
In total, 30 parties are contesting the European elections, including the SNP, Plaid Cymru, Sinn Fein, the Democratic Unionist Party and Ulster Unionist Party which all won seats in 2009.In total, 30 parties are contesting the European elections, including the SNP, Plaid Cymru, Sinn Fein, the Democratic Unionist Party and Ulster Unionist Party which all won seats in 2009.
Britain is one of eight countries to use a "closed list" system where people vote for a party, rather than an individual.Britain is one of eight countries to use a "closed list" system where people vote for a party, rather than an individual.
The parties - here is a guide to each of them - decide who goes on the candidate list for each of the electoral regions, with the ones at the top standing the best chance of being elected.The parties - here is a guide to each of them - decide who goes on the candidate list for each of the electoral regions, with the ones at the top standing the best chance of being elected.
The way seats are allocated within each European constituency uses the D'hondt system, which is a form of proportional representation.The way seats are allocated within each European constituency uses the D'hondt system, which is a form of proportional representation.
Across Europe as a whole, 751 MEPs will be elected to the European Parliament, in proportion to countries' population size.Across Europe as a whole, 751 MEPs will be elected to the European Parliament, in proportion to countries' population size.
The powers of the parliament, which sits in both Brussels and Strasbourg, have expanded since the last election in 2009.The powers of the parliament, which sits in both Brussels and Strasbourg, have expanded since the last election in 2009.
MEPs now negotiate legislation with national government ministers in what is called "co-decision", before parliament votes on the laws.MEPs now negotiate legislation with national government ministers in what is called "co-decision", before parliament votes on the laws.
They have a say on budget areas including agriculture and regional aid.They have a say on budget areas including agriculture and regional aid.