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UKIP heading for clear victory in UK European elections UKIP heading for clear victory in UK European elections
(35 minutes later)
UKIP is course for an emphatic victory in the European elections in the UK - with leader Nigel Farage promising to use it as a springboard for next year's general election.UKIP is course for an emphatic victory in the European elections in the UK - with leader Nigel Farage promising to use it as a springboard for next year's general election.
Labour's vote is up significantly on 2009 but it is vying with the Tories for second place.Labour's vote is up significantly on 2009 but it is vying with the Tories for second place.
The Lib Dems have come fifth behind the Green Party in most areas and have lost all but one of their seats.The Lib Dems have come fifth behind the Green Party in most areas and have lost all but one of their seats.
Only Scotland, London and Northern Ireland have yet to declare.Only Scotland, London and Northern Ireland have yet to declare.
The BBC are predicting that the result in Scotland will be SNP on two seats, Labour on two seats, the Conservatives with one seat and UKIP with one seat - meaning the anti-EU party is expected to win at least one seat in every region of Great Britain.The BBC are predicting that the result in Scotland will be SNP on two seats, Labour on two seats, the Conservatives with one seat and UKIP with one seat - meaning the anti-EU party is expected to win at least one seat in every region of Great Britain.
The full Scottish result will be known at noon on Monday, as the Western Isles does not count votes on a Sunday.The full Scottish result will be known at noon on Monday, as the Western Isles does not count votes on a Sunday.
Labour will be hoping for a repeat of its strong showing in the local elections in London, which could secure second place overall for Ed Miliband's party, but the result has been delayed by problems at the Tower Hamlets count and may not be declared until mid-morning on Monday. Labour will be hoping for a repeat of its strong showing in the local elections in London, which could secure second place overall for Ed Miliband's party, but the result has been delayed by problems at the Tower Hamlets count.
Counting in Northern Ireland begins later on Monday.Counting in Northern Ireland begins later on Monday.
In his victory speech at the South East of England count, UKIP leader Nigel Farage said: "The people's army of UKIP have spoken tonight and have delivered just about the most extraordinary result in British politics for 100 years."In his victory speech at the South East of England count, UKIP leader Nigel Farage said: "The people's army of UKIP have spoken tonight and have delivered just about the most extraordinary result in British politics for 100 years."
He said the three main parties in Britain had led the country into the Common Market but had "twisted and turned" over an in/out referendum on EU membership.He said the three main parties in Britain had led the country into the Common Market but had "twisted and turned" over an in/out referendum on EU membership.
"The penny's really dropped that as members of this union we cannot run our own country and crucially, we cannot control our own borders.""The penny's really dropped that as members of this union we cannot run our own country and crucially, we cannot control our own borders."
Far from being confined to the centre right of British politics, UKIP had also bitten into old Labour heartlands, he said.Far from being confined to the centre right of British politics, UKIP had also bitten into old Labour heartlands, he said.
"We're genuinely a United Kingdom Independence Party. Our people's army will go from here to Newark and move on to the general election…. You haven't heard the last of us.""We're genuinely a United Kingdom Independence Party. Our people's army will go from here to Newark and move on to the general election…. You haven't heard the last of us."
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.
BBC Political editor Nick Robinson said it was "pretty striking" that Labour could not confidently, at this stage, be sure of second place" in a national election, something that must be a "bit of a worry" for Ed Miliband less than a year away from a general election. Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg faced calls to stand down ahead of Sunday night's results - something firmly rejected by senior party figures.
A member of the party's federal executive, Martin Tod, reiterated his call for Mr Clegg to quit because voters were "not prepared" to listen to him.
He said any new leader should "prove themselves in a democratic party election".
Mr Tod, who is a councillor in Winchester, branded his party's results in the European elections a "disaster" and the party's response "complacent".
But Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander, who has been touted as a future leader himself, insisted Mr Clegg was "by far the best spokesman" for the Lib Dems and "plunging the party into a period of introspection" was not the right response the results.
TurnoutTurnout
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.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.
BBC Political editor Nick Robinson said it was "pretty striking" that Labour could not confidently, at this stage, "be sure of second place" in a national election, something that must be a "bit of a worry" for Ed Miliband less than a year away from a general election.
BNP leader Nick Griffin lost his seat in the North-West of England, after his party lost 6% of its vote. The BNP has seen a similar slump in support across the UK and seems certain to have no representation in the next European Parliament.BNP leader Nick Griffin lost his seat in the North-West of England, after his party lost 6% of its vote. The BNP has seen a similar slump in support across the UK and seems certain to have no representation in the next European Parliament.
But the far right anti-EU National Front was forecast to win in France, according to exit polls. But the far right anti-EU National Front has topped the poll 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.
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.
But 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. Turnout in the UK was 33.8%, down slightly on last time.But 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. Turnout in the UK was 33.8%, down slightly on last time.
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%.
'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.