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Labour doubles its MEPs in London Labour doubles its MEPs in London
(about 2 hours later)
Labour has doubled its number of MEPs in London after winning half of the region's eight seats in the European election.Labour has doubled its number of MEPs in London after winning half of the region's eight seats in the European election.
It topped the poll with 806,959 votes, while the Conservatives won two seats with 495,639 votes.It topped the poll with 806,959 votes, while the Conservatives won two seats with 495,639 votes.
The UK Independence party and the Green Party each retained one seat with 371,133 and 196,419 votes respectively. UKIP and the Green Party each retained one seat with 371,133 and 196,419 votes respectively.
The Liberal Democrats, who came fifth overall, lost their MEP in London, with the Tories also down one.The Liberal Democrats, who came fifth overall, lost their MEP in London, with the Tories also down one.
'Not blaming anybody''Not blaming anybody'
Before the results were out and the sitting Lib Dem MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford lost her seat, she seemed to sense the party may not do well.Before the results were out and the sitting Lib Dem MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford lost her seat, she seemed to sense the party may not do well.
She said: "It's nobody's fault, I don't think. I am certainly not blaming anybody, I am not going around asking for anybody's head.She said: "It's nobody's fault, I don't think. I am certainly not blaming anybody, I am not going around asking for anybody's head.
"I am proud of the campaign we fought, I am proud of Nick Clegg taking on Nigel Farage and his divisive fear-mongering, whipping up prejudiced attitudes, I am proud that we have fought a pro-European campaign.""I am proud of the campaign we fought, I am proud of Nick Clegg taking on Nigel Farage and his divisive fear-mongering, whipping up prejudiced attitudes, I am proud that we have fought a pro-European campaign."
But she added: "I think it's a great shame that Europe's premier city does not have an MEP now from the pro-European party the Liberal Democrats." Later she added: "I think it's a great shame that Europe's premier city does not have an MEP now from the pro-European party the Liberal Democrats."
Former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "Deeply disappointed, for me and the party, but particularly for people like Sarah Ludford, who has been a tower of strength in the European Parliament, highly regarded, taken a particular interest in human rights, and represented the people of London in a wholly effective and well-judged way."
Labour candidates Claude Moraes, Mary Honeyball, Lucy Anderson and Seb Dance all took seats.Labour candidates Claude Moraes, Mary Honeyball, Lucy Anderson and Seb Dance all took seats.
Mr Moraes said Labour's performance was an "extraordinary result" which "bucked" the national trend.Mr Moraes said Labour's performance was an "extraordinary result" which "bucked" the national trend.
He said: "It's our best result in London in the European elections since the PR system began.He said: "It's our best result in London in the European elections since the PR system began.
"Labour is generally a pro-European party but sees London's future as an internationally outward-looking city, at ease with itself and at ease with the kind of issues the UKIP's scaring everyone about... but also bread and butter issues that we were not afraid to talk about on doorstep, like the cost of living." "Labour is generally a pro-European party but sees London's future as an internationally outward-looking city, at ease with itself and at ease with the kind of issues UKIP's scaring everyone about... but also bread and butter issues that we were not afraid to talk about on the doorstep, like the cost of living."
'Wonderful diversity'
They will be joined by Charles Tannock and Dr Syed Kamall for the Conservatives, Gerard Batten for UKIP and Jean Lambert for the Green party.They will be joined by Charles Tannock and Dr Syed Kamall for the Conservatives, Gerard Batten for UKIP and Jean Lambert for the Green party.
After his win Mr Batten said: "In London my only regret is that we didn't get our second candidate elected, Paul Oakley, but we did double our share of the vote and in a number of boroughs I believe we either came second or first, in one at least. That's been a fantastic achievement."After his win Mr Batten said: "In London my only regret is that we didn't get our second candidate elected, Paul Oakley, but we did double our share of the vote and in a number of boroughs I believe we either came second or first, in one at least. That's been a fantastic achievement."
Dr Kamall said: "Over the next few years we will continue as Conservative MEPs to stand up for London, its financial sector, its creative industries, its wonderful diversity.Dr Kamall said: "Over the next few years we will continue as Conservative MEPs to stand up for London, its financial sector, its creative industries, its wonderful diversity.
"In Britain we have a long-term plan to fix the economic mess that we inherited and in Europe we will continue to build the coalitions across parties... to make sure we deliver the reform that we need.""In Britain we have a long-term plan to fix the economic mess that we inherited and in Europe we will continue to build the coalitions across parties... to make sure we deliver the reform that we need."
Prof Tony Travers, the director of the Greater London Group at the London School of Economics said: "There is some evidence from opinion polls that Londoners have a different view, more optimistic and more positive about the EU than the country as a whole.Prof Tony Travers, the director of the Greater London Group at the London School of Economics said: "There is some evidence from opinion polls that Londoners have a different view, more optimistic and more positive about the EU than the country as a whole.
"In some polls, interestingly, London and Scotland have a similar view about Europe and it is more positive than the other parts of the UK."In some polls, interestingly, London and Scotland have a similar view about Europe and it is more positive than the other parts of the UK.
"It's the proximity to Europe on one hand and the particular make up of London's population I think makes it more positive about Europe and less likely to vote UKIP." "It's the proximity to Europe on one hand and the particular make up of London's population I think [which] makes it more positive about Europe and less likely to vote UKIP."
Seats in the European Parliament are allocated according to the D'Hondt system, a type of proportional representation.Seats in the European Parliament are allocated according to the D'Hondt system, a type of proportional representation.