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European elections results 2014: Sweeping gains for Nigel Farage's Ukip deal further body blow to main parties European elections results 2014: Nigel Farage's Ukip on course to top poll as Europe takes a swing to the right
(35 minutes later)
Nigel Farage inflicted another body blow on the three main political parties on Sunday night as Ukip made sweeping gains when the European election results were announced.Nigel Farage inflicted another body blow on the three main political parties on Sunday night as Ukip made sweeping gains when the European election results were announced.
The anti-EU party built on its success in the local elections in England last Thursday when the votes cast in the European Parliament poll on the same day were counted.  The results were delayed until voting ended in the 28-nation bloc at 10pm last night. The anti-EU party dramatically built on its success in the local elections in England last Thursday when the results of the Euro poll held on the same day were announced. A jubilant Mr Farage hailed the outcome as “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.”
The Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats conceded that Ukip was on course to come first, adding significantly to the 13 seats it won in the last Euro elections in 2009. The Tories, who topped the poll last time and won 25 seats, faced the humiliation of dropping to third place for the first time ever in a national election. The Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats conceded that Ukip would come first, and on course to double the 13 seats it won in the last Euro elections in 2009. The Tories, who came first last time with 25 seats, faced the humiliation of dropping to third place for the first time ever in a national election.
Across the EU, turnout was estimated at 43.1 per cent, in line with the previous Euro elections five years ago. Nationalist and Eurosceptic parties were expected to make big gains and could double their strength in the European Parliament. The Liberal Democrats were braced for a disastrous result, fearing that they would lose almost all their 12 MEPs, increasing the grassroots pressure on Nick Clegg to stand down as party leader. Early results last night suggested the Lib Dems could even come fifth behind the Greens.
Exit polls suggested Marine Le Pen’s Front National was set to secure the largest share of the vote in France. Manuel Valls, the Socialist Prime Minister, described the result as “an earthquake” and a “very grave moment for France and Europe”. In Belgium, the separatist New Flemish Alliance was tipped to receive nearly a third of votes cast in the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders. In Austria, the far right Freedom Party was forecast to win a fifth of the votes. Across the EU, nationalist and Eurosceptic parties made big gains amid predictions they would double their strength in the European Parliament. In France, Marine Le Pen's Front National topped a nationwide poll for the first time in its history, with the anti-immigrant party predicted to take 25 per cent of the vote and as many as 24 seats in the European Parliament.
Ms Le Pen said France had “shouted loud and clear” that it wanted to be run “by the French, for the French and with the French” and not by “foreign commissioners” in Brussels. Manuel Valls, France’s Socialist Prime Minister, said the victory was “more than a shock, it's an earthquake”.
Turnout across the EU was estimated at 43.1 per cent, in line with the previous Euro elections  five years ago.
In Belgium, the separatist New Flemish Alliance was tipped to receive nearly a third of votes cast in the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders. In Austria, the far right Freedom Party was forecast to win a fifth of the votes.
In Britain, the last nationwide test of public opinion before next year’s general election confirmed  that the country has entered an era of “four-party politics.” The turnout was 36 per cent, up from 34.7 per cent in 2009.In Britain, the last nationwide test of public opinion before next year’s general election confirmed  that the country has entered an era of “four-party politics.” The turnout was 36 per cent, up from 34.7 per cent in 2009.
Labour, which secured only 13 MEPs in 2009, was hoping to run Ukip close for first place. Coming second would be a setback to Labour’s attempt to show it is on course to regain power net year. But Labour officials insisted that Euro elections are “a poor guide” to general elections, pointing out that right-wing parties across Europe normally do better in them than the centre-left . “It is unprecedented for the Conservatives to come third,” said one Labour source. “David Cameron is the first Tory leader to lose a Euro election for 20 years.” Ukip comfortably topped the poll in the East of England, winning three of the region’s seven seats. Three went to the Conservatives and one to Labour. The Lib Dems lost their seat.
Ukip defied convention by predicting victory. Asked if he thought it would, Mr Farage replied: “I do, yes. I’m sticking my neck out, but yes I do. It may be tight but I think we are going to get there, yes.” Both the Tories and Liberal Democrats lost seats in the North East of England to Labour and Ukip. The result meant the Conservative leader in the Parliament, Martin Callanan, narrowly lost his place in it.
Patrick O’Flynn, Ukip’s campaign director, who was expected to become an MEP for the East of England, said: “This is the latest proof that Ukip is in tune with the aspirations and fears of the British public. These results will be perfect launch-pad for our campaign to win seats at the general election. A huge swathe of the public is demanding a referendum on membership of the EU and are desperate for Britain to get back control of its borders and become a self-governing country again.” Labour, which secured only 13 MEPs in 2009, insisted that Euro elections are “a poor guide” to general elections, pointing out that right-wing parties across Europe normally do better in them than the centre-left . “It is unprecedented for the Conservatives to come third,” said one Labour source. “David Cameron is the first Tory leader to lose a Euro election for 20 years.”
The Lib Dems were braced to lose most of their 12 seats in the Strasbourg Parliament. Even before the Euro results were known, grassroots activists launched a campaign to oust Nick Clegg as party leader. An e-petition was signed by 250 members in 36 hours – including 43 councillors, three parliamentary candidates and six local party chairs. More are expected to put their names to it Monday as they digest the Euro election outcome. Patrick O’Flynn, Ukip’s campaign director, who was elected an MEP in the East of England, said: “This is the latest proof that Ukip is in tune with the aspirations and fears of the British public. These results will be perfect launch-pad for our campaign to win seats at the general election. A huge swathe of the public is demanding a referendum on membership of the EU and are desperate for Britain to get back control of its borders and become a self-governing country again.”
Suzanne Evans,  Ukip’s communities spokeswoman,  said the party would reject the Front National’s overtures to join the same group in the European Parliament. “The Front National is an extreme party; Ukip is not,” she told the BBC. “We are the common sense centre.”
An e-petition calling on Mr Clegg to quit was signed by 250 Lib Dem members in 36 hours –i ncluding 43 councillors, three parliamentary candidates and six local party chairs.More are expected to put their names to it on Monday.
Three Lib Dem MPs said Mr Clegg’s position as leader should be considered during the party’s post-mortem. But Lord (Paddy) Ashdown, the party’s former leader, dismissed the call as “ridiculous” and “not serious politics.”Three Lib Dem MPs said Mr Clegg’s position as leader should be considered during the party’s post-mortem. But Lord (Paddy) Ashdown, the party’s former leader, dismissed the call as “ridiculous” and “not serious politics.”
In Thursday’s local elections, the Lib Dems lost 307 seats and control of two councils. The Tories lost 231 seats and were ousted in 11 authorities. Labour gained 338 seats and took control in six councils.  Ukip gained 161 seats but runs no authorities. In Thursday’s local elections, the Lib Dems lost 307 seats and control of two councils. The Tories lost 231 seats and were ousted in 11 authorities. Labour gained 338 seats and took control in six councils. Ukip gained 161 seats but runs no authorities. Despite Labour’s gains, some of the party’s MPs fear its performance was not good enough and claim Ed Miliband underestimated the Ukip threat.
Despite Labour’s gains, some of the party’s MPs fear its performance was not good enough and claim Ed Miliband underestimated the Ukip threat.
On Sunday Rachel Reeves, the shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, conceded that Labour needed to listen to people’s concerns on jobs, housing and immigration. “We've got to do more to explain our policies and show them that we are on their side. And that is work in progress, more to do before the next election,” she said.
The Tory leadership will try to draw a line under the disappointing Euro results by launching an all-out attempt to win the parliamentary by-election on June 5 in the previously safe Tory seat of Newark.  Mr Cameron’s party faces a strong challenge from Ukip,  even though Mr Farage’s party limped in a distant fourth with less than four per cent support in the Nottinghamshire constituency at the last election.