Nigel Farage said he would “change the shape of British politics” after his Brexit Party stormed to victory in the European elections.
Conservatives were the main casualties of the Brexit Party’s advance, securing just 9% of the vote in England and Wales and set for their worst ever national election share once the full picture from Scotland becomes clear.
Labour also suffered a terrible night as voters split between the clear Brexit alternatives offered by Mr Farage and the pro-EU Liberal Democrats.
Just three Conservatives were elected in England and Wales, while the Brexit Party had 28 seats, overtaking the 24 MEPs that Mr Farage’s former party Ukip sent to the European Parliament in 2014.
The Lib Dems, reduced to just a single MEP in 2014, were on 15 after their best ever European results.
The result in Scotland will not be formally declared until later on Monday but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said her SNP had won “emphatically” and would take three of the six available seats.
The Brexit Party, which came second across Scotland, appear on course to secure one more MEP, as will both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.
“We’re not just here to leave the European Union but to try and fundamentally change the shape of British politics, bring it into the 21st century and get a Parliament that better reflects the country,” he said.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid, another potential leadership contender, said the “hugely disappointing” results were a “clear lesson” that the public wants the Government to get on with delivering Brexit.
Hugely disappointing results – but this is a verdict on our delivery of Brexit. There’s a clear lesson: people want us to get on with it. Not another election or referendum asking if changed their mind. We’ll need to unite as a party to deliver that. There are no other options
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) May 27, 2019
Prominent Brexiteer and MEP Daniel Hannan, who managed to cling on to his seat in the South East, told the Press Association it was “without question our worst result as a party ever”.
But Labour also threatened to tear itself apart with a bitter row at the top of the party about the strategy adopted by Jeremy Corbyn.
Two of Labour’s most senior figures – Emily Thornberry and Tom Watson – tore into the party’s campaign, claiming it had lacked a clear message as it sought to appeal to both Leave and Remain voters.
My #EuropeanElectionResults statement: pic.twitter.com/dKgpDz2kXB
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) May 26, 2019
Mr Corbyn said: “With the Conservatives disintegrating and unable to govern, and Parliament deadlocked, this issue will have to go back to the people, whether through a general election or a public vote.”
Hinting that Labour could consider a shift in position, he added: “Over the coming days we will have conversations across our party and movement, and reflect on these results on both sides of the Brexit divide.”
In a sign of how embarrassing the results were for Labour, the Lib Dems topped the poll in Islington, in north London – where both Mr Corbyn and Ms Thornberry are MPs.
Shadow foreign secretary Ms Thornberry – who was sent onto the BBC to represent her party’s position – instead said Labour got a “kicking” because “we went into an election where the most important issue was ‘what was our view on leaving the European Union’ and we were not clear about it”.
Following the disastrous EU election results, Labour urgently needs to re-think its Brexit position and realign with members and voters. For Britain’s sake, we must find our voice and fast. I want to hear from members and supporters in this survey… https://t.co/RYSct3SAkJ
— Tom Watson (@tom_watson) May 26, 2019
Deputy Labour leader Mr Watson said: “Following the disastrous EU election results, Labour urgently needs to re-think its Brexit position and realign with members and voters.”
He urged members to take part in a survey on his website to set out how they wanted to influence Labour’s policy.
The Liberal Democrats attracted Remain-supporting voters from across the political spectrum, including former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell and former Tory deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine.
A clear, honest, unambiguous message has won @libdems our best ever European election result. We have shown ourselves as the strongest Remain force in British politics. Thank you to everyone who put their faith in us. We will stand up for you and keep campaigning to #StopBrexit.
— Vince Cable (@vincecable) May 27, 2019
Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable said: “Our clear, honest, unambiguous message has won us our best ever European election result, and pushed Corbyn’s Labour into third place.”
He said the results were a message for Labour to “get off the fence” over Brexit.
The Green Party finished above the Conservatives for the first time in a national election.
Co-leader Sian Berry said: “There is clear evidence from this of strong support for the UK remaining in the European Union, but also for tackling the causes of Brexit – the massive damage done to so many communities by austerity, tax-dodging and diminution of workers’ rights.”
Votes from Northern Ireland were being counted on Monday.
Latest provisional results of the 2019 European elections (for more information check https://t.co/cy2uaAq3bY): pic.twitter.com/4iwKOXeG7w
— European Parliament (@Europarl_EN) May 26, 2019
The results across Europe suggest a decline in the main centre-right and centre-left groupings in the European Parliament, with a boost for the Liberals, Greens and nationalists.
