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Labour tops Euro poll in Wales with UKIP close behind Labour tops Euro poll in Wales with UKIP close behind
(about 1 hour later)
Labour has narrowly topped the European election poll in Wales on 28.7% of the vote only just ahead of UKIP who boosted their support to 28.1%.Labour has narrowly topped the European election poll in Wales on 28.7% of the vote only just ahead of UKIP who boosted their support to 28.1%.
The Conservatives - who topped the poll in 2009 - came third with 17.8% followed by Plaid Cymru, with 15.6%.The Conservatives - who topped the poll in 2009 - came third with 17.8% followed by Plaid Cymru, with 15.6%.
It means no change in that the four parties each retain a seat representing Wales in the European Parliament.It means no change in that the four parties each retain a seat representing Wales in the European Parliament.
Meanwhile, the Green Party came fifth with 4.6% vote share, with the Liberal Democrats sixth on a disappointing 4%.Meanwhile, the Green Party came fifth with 4.6% vote share, with the Liberal Democrats sixth on a disappointing 4%.
Labour's successful candidate Derek Vaughan, an MEP since 2009, said he was delighted his party had won the most votes in Wales, but sorry it could not win a second seat.Labour's successful candidate Derek Vaughan, an MEP since 2009, said he was delighted his party had won the most votes in Wales, but sorry it could not win a second seat.
"The turnout of 32% is not exactly brilliant," he said, "it's our job to explain the benefits that Wales gets from the EU."The turnout of 32% is not exactly brilliant," he said, "it's our job to explain the benefits that Wales gets from the EU.
"We have to re-engage with voters and explain the benefits of EU membership. To coin a phrase, we're all in this together.""We have to re-engage with voters and explain the benefits of EU membership. To coin a phrase, we're all in this together."
UKIP's winning candidate Nathan Gill said his party had engaged with the public in Wales and had managed to get its message across.UKIP's winning candidate Nathan Gill said his party had engaged with the public in Wales and had managed to get its message across.
"Britain will be better off when we leave the EU," he said."Britain will be better off when we leave the EU," he said.
Results in WalesResults in Wales
Labour 206,332 28.15% (+7.86)Labour 206,332 28.15% (+7.86)
UK Independence Party 201,983 27.55% (+14.76)UK Independence Party 201,983 27.55% (+14.76)
Conservative 127,742 17.43% (-3.79)Conservative 127,742 17.43% (-3.79)
Plaid Cymru 111,864 15.26% (-3.25)Plaid Cymru 111,864 15.26% (-3.25)
Green 33,275 4.54% (-1.04)Green 33,275 4.54% (-1.04)
Liberal Democrat 28,930 3.95% (-6.73)Liberal Democrat 28,930 3.95% (-6.73)
British National Party 7,655 1.04% (-4.38)British National Party 7,655 1.04% (-4.38)
Britain First 6,633 0.90% (0.00)Britain First 6,633 0.90% (0.00)
Socialist Labour Party 4,459 0.61% (-1.20)Socialist Labour Party 4,459 0.61% (-1.20)
NO2EU 2,803 0.38% (-0.87)NO2EU 2,803 0.38% (-0.87)
Socialist Party of Great Britain 1,384 0.19% (0.00)Socialist Party of Great Britain 1,384 0.19% (0.00)
Re-elected Conservative Kay Swinburne said engagement with the public was an issue: "We have to raise the profile of what the EU is about and what MEPs do for the day job."Re-elected Conservative Kay Swinburne said engagement with the public was an issue: "We have to raise the profile of what the EU is about and what MEPs do for the day job."
She added: "I am particularly pleased that the Conservative vote was maintained in those areas of Wales where we currently have strongly elected members."She added: "I am particularly pleased that the Conservative vote was maintained in those areas of Wales where we currently have strongly elected members."
Meanwhile, Jill Evans thanked the people of Wales "for trusting Plaid Cymru for being a strong voice in Europe for the next five years".Meanwhile, Jill Evans thanked the people of Wales "for trusting Plaid Cymru for being a strong voice in Europe for the next five years".
There had been concerns in the party that Ms Evans, first elected 15 years ago, was in danger of losing the seat this time round.There had been concerns in the party that Ms Evans, first elected 15 years ago, was in danger of losing the seat this time round.
The Liberal Democrats admitted it had been a disappointing night.The Liberal Democrats admitted it had been a disappointing night.
Aled Roberts AM, chair of the Welsh Lib Dem European campaign, added: "However, we can hold our heads up high over the campaign we fought. While most parties remained silent on the issue of Europe, we had the strength to fight a positive campaign and to stand up for the benefits of remaining in the EU."Aled Roberts AM, chair of the Welsh Lib Dem European campaign, added: "However, we can hold our heads up high over the campaign we fought. While most parties remained silent on the issue of Europe, we had the strength to fight a positive campaign and to stand up for the benefits of remaining in the EU."
Analysis
By Tomos Livingstone, BBC Wales political correspondent
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Labour, UKIP, the Tories and Plaid Cymru have all won one Welsh seat in the European elections, exactly the same as last time - but that's where the similarities with 2009 end.
Five years ago it was the Tories on top of the poll, a shock for Labour and a low point in that party's fortunes.
This time Labour are back on top, but only just; UKIP were only 0.6% behind.
The result has big implications for Welsh politics. It is more and more difficult now to argue, as some have done, that Wales is somehow immune to the Euro-sceptic trends seen across the border in England.
All the main parties have seen their vote eroded by the rise of UKIP.
Plaid Cymru, who spent the campaign attacking UKIP, will at least feel that their tactic has been vindicated in that it is clear their core voters turned out and made sure Jill Evans retained her seat.
UKIP topped the poll in Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham - there's little doubt that the North Wales region is the party's best chance of getting its first AM elected in the 2016 Assembly elections.
It was also first in Powys and in the Vale of Glamorgan - that'll worry the Conservatives as they defend Montgomeryshire and the Vale of Glamorgan in next year's General Election.
Spare a thought for the Liberal Democrats though - they got just 4% of the vote, behind the Greens on 4.6%.
It's a long way back for the party with a General Election next year, and perhaps more worrying the assembly election in 2016, which also uses an element of proportional representation to decide the results.