Lib Dems make gain in elections for European Parliament (Wantage and Didcot Liberal Democrats)

Wantage and Didcot Liberal Democrats <info@wantagelibdems.org.uk>

Lib Dems make gain in elections for European Parliament

June 12, 2009 8:01 AM

South East Region MEPs Sharon Bowles (left) and Catherine Bearder with Lib Dem Party leader Nick Clegg and local spokesman Alan Armitage

In the elections for the European Parliament held on 4 June, the Liberal Democrats' share of the vote was about the same as five years ago, but the party gained a seat, as the result of a fall in the UKIP vote in the East Midlands. In South East Region, the party held its two seats, with Oxfordshire resident Catherine Bearder taking the place of Emma Nicholson, who stood down. The detailed results for the South East can be seen at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/elections/euro/09/html/ukregion_35.stm.

The elections had been dominated by the expenses scandal in the Westminster Parliament, resulting in a higher vote for smaller parties, who are mainly opposed to Britain's membership of the European Union. There was a large fall in the Labour party vote, as occurred in the local elections on the same day. Labour Party allies in the Socialist block in the European Parliament generally did badly, resulting in an even larger "centre right" block (Christian Democrats and their allies).

Said Wantage and Didcot spokesman Alan Armitage: "The Labour Party's collapse helped the BNP to gain two seats, which is deplorable, but not necessarily very significant. It is important to recognise that a significant majority of electors voted for parties which favour EU membership. I only wish that our government would take us closer to the heart of Europe, as Tony Blair promised but failed to do. Our future prosperity depends on this, and our politicians should stop using European issues as a way of boosting short-term popularity at home, and engage seriously with our friends in the Union."