UKIP loses seat in East Midlands

The number of East Midlands seats dropped from six to five

The UK Independence Party lost a seat in the European elections in the East Midlands, the only English region where it ended the night having lost an MEP.

A 9% fall in UKIP's share of the East Midlands vote saw it win one seat, down from two in the 2004 elections.

The Conservatives held on to their two seats with a win for Emma McClarkin and the re-election of Roger Helmer.

Labour's Glenis Willmott and Liberal Democrat Bill Newton-Dunn were re-elected, as was UKIP's Derek Clark.

'So excited'

The enlargement of the European Union has reduced the number of East Midlands seats from six to five.

Ms McClarkin - former press officer to Mr Helmer - has been elected for the first time.

"I just think it's fantastic. I'm just so excited," Ms McClarkin said.

"It's a huge privilege to be in this position."

Voter turnout in the region fell from 43.7% to 37.34%.

On a night when Labour performed badly across the UK, the party lost votes in the East Midlands and saw its share of the vote fall from 21% to 16.9%.

But a larger slump for UKIP saw Labour jump from third in 2004 to second behind the Conservatives this year.

Ms Willmott said: "We've actually done better in the East Midlands than we did last time.

"Instead of coming third we've come second."

She called on the party to rally behind the prime minister.

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