This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27570508

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Conservative anger over third place in European poll David Cameron: Conservatives can win general election
(about 4 hours later)
Eurosceptic Conservative MPs have hit out after the party was pushed into third place in the European elections. David Cameron has insisted the Conservatives can win the next general election despite being pushed into third place in the European elections.
Bernard Jenkin wrote on Twitter: "Some of us who opposed Maastricht 20 years ago predicted it would lead to the rise of the right in the EU: and here we are." The prime minister said he appreciated people were "disillusioned" with the EU and he "absolutely understood and received the message".
Clacton MP Douglas Carswell said: "So maybe those of us who sometimes banged on about Europe were on to something?" He told the BBC that only the Conservatives were offering a referendum on UK membership.
The Tories chalked up 24% of the votes, behind Labour's 25% and UKIP's 27.5%. The BBC's Nick Robinson said this "simple message" instilled confidence.
With only Scotland left to declare, UKIP is on course to return 23 MEPs, with the Tories and Labour each having 18 MEPs so far. With only Scotland left to declare, UKIP is on course to return 23 MEPs, with the Tories and Labour each having 18 MEPs. So far, the Tories have chalked up 24% of the votes, behind Labour's on 25% and UKIP's 27.5%.
Some Conservative MPs have expressed dismay at the performance and Mr Cameron said he was "disappointed" for the MEPs - including its former leader in Brussels Martin Callanan - who lost their seats.
'Clear message'
But he said the vote reinforced his belief that the UK's relationship with the EU needed to change.
"I take a very clear message from the election. People are deeply disillusioned with the EU. They don't feel the current arrangements are working well enough for Britain and they want change.
"I would say that message is absolutely received and understood."
While he was an instinctive "reformer" who, in the referendum would "give the choice to the British people of whether to stay or go", Labour backed the "status quo" in Europe and the Lib Dems did not want any change.
Mr Cameron rejected suggestions that UKIP's victory was a snub for the Westminster elite in general and for Mr Farage's different campaigning style, saying the UKIP leader was a "consummate politician" who was already discussing tactics for the 2015 general election.
He again dismissed any talk of pre-election pacts, at either a national or constituency level, saying he was "100%" focused on delivering an outright Conservative victory.
He said Labour had got a lower share of the vote in the 2004 European election and managed to comfortably win a general election the year after.
"It is possible to win from here," he said. "We have just got to have a real focus on what really matters which is completing our economic plan and turning our country round."
Foreign Secretary William Hague said the rise of Eurosceptic parties should serve as a wake-up call to European politicians.Foreign Secretary William Hague said the rise of Eurosceptic parties should serve as a wake-up call to European politicians.
"Certainly there is a message across Europe of disillusionment with Europe and the EU has got to hear that loud and clear," he said. 'Free hit'
'Curbs on immigration' UKIP's support would switch for next year's general election, he told BBC News. "They can have a free hit; they can have a vote that does not have the consequences of bringing the wrong government in," he said.
UKIP's support would switch for next year's general election, he told BBC News. "They can have a free hit; they can have a vote that does not have the consequences of bringing the wrong government in," he said. "So it is very different to a general election." "So it is very different to a general election."
Laura Sandys, the Conservative MP stepping down in the South Thanet constituency where Nigel Farage is tipped as a possible contender at next year's general election, told Sky News: "It is about being clear about what we want out of Europe. But backbencher Bernard Jenkin wrote on Twitter: "Some of us who opposed Maastricht 20 years ago predicted it would lead to the rise of the right in the EU: and here we are."
"To be frank, I think most Conservatives actually understand the value of the (European) market ... but I also think we should not be defeated. And Clacton MP Douglas Carswell added: "So maybe those of us who sometimes banged on about Europe were on to something?"
"We don't want to run for exits - we want to be part of big organisations and international organisations where our voice is heard."
The European election results come just days after the Conservative Party lost more than 200 seats in local polls, prompting ministers to promise tougher curbs on immigration.The European election results come just days after the Conservative Party lost more than 200 seats in local polls, prompting ministers to promise tougher curbs on immigration.
Home Secretary Theresa May said they were considering deporting people who came to the UK to work, but who could not find a job after six months.Home Secretary Theresa May said they were considering deporting people who came to the UK to work, but who could not find a job after six months.
They were also looking at cutting the length of time migrants could claim benefits from six months to three months, she said.They were also looking at cutting the length of time migrants could claim benefits from six months to three months, she said.
Conservative party chairman Grant Shapps said the election results were "a command for Britain to get a better deal" in Europe - but he rejected calls by Tory grandee David Davis to bring forward a proposed in/out EU referendum to 2016, saying negotiations on this could not be rushed.Conservative party chairman Grant Shapps said the election results were "a command for Britain to get a better deal" in Europe - but he rejected calls by Tory grandee David Davis to bring forward a proposed in/out EU referendum to 2016, saying negotiations on this could not be rushed.