HAVE YOUR SAY: Politics
Labour lost its only MEP in the South West region and polled fewer votes than the Green Party in the European elections.
The Conservatives won three seats, a gain of one, while the UK Independence Party (Ukip) held its two seats and the Liberal Democrats still hold one seat in the region.
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Gordon Brown is feeling the heat after recent election results
The Tories took 30.2% of the vote, down 1.3% since the last European elections, and will have three of the six South West seats.
Ukip came second with 22.1% of the vote, down 0.5%, and the Liberal Democrats were third with 17.2%, down 1.2%.
The Greens were in fourth place with 9.3%, up 2.1%, and Labour fifth with 7.7%, down 6.8%.
Giles Chichester, Julie Girling and Ashley Fox will represent the Conservatives.
Trevor Coleman and William Dartmouth will represent Ukip and Graham Watson continues for the Lib Dems.
Turnout was slightly up by 2% on the last elections at 39%.
The Pensioners’ Party increased its share of the vote by 2.4%, while the BNP’s vote rose by 0.9% and Cornish Nationalists Mebyon Kernow received nearly 15,000 votes, up 0.9%.
Ukip’s Lord Dartmouth, the 10th Earl of Dartmouth, said: “I’m very happy. Ukip has improved its position on five years ago and that is because we were the only party putting forward a consistent and coherent message about Britain and the EU, that Britain would be better off out of the EU.
“The expenses controversy made long-term supporters of the three large parties take a look at other parties and Ukip did the best from that.”
And on Friday, results from the local government elections also showed a fall in popularity for Labour across Gloucestershire.
But what do you think? Are you appalled that the likes of the BNP are growing in popularity at the expense of parties like Labour?
Or are you disappointed in Gordon Brown's leadership at a hugely difficult time for voters and should resign?
Or are you pleased at the emergence of parties like Ukip and the BNP, regardless of their views?
And most importantly of all, do you still have faith in politics in the shadow of the expenses scandals of recent months?
Whatever your view, use the form below to let us know...
29 Comments
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by anon, glos
Sunday, August 02 2009, 8:38PM
“We should build a mobile version of the house of commons which allowing statistics to dictate send it to the poorest areas in the country.
This would solve the proplem of MPs expenses as nobody would claim for a second house
solve the public transport issues as MPs wouldnt want to bring their cars
Unemployment would fall following the opening of Gentlemens clubs
Teenage pregnancys would be a good thing as a baby is a must have photo opportunity
The local drug dealer would be closely regulated and operate to strict government guidelines
Jobdone to the next town.”
by Cedric Glos, Gloucestershire
Friday, June 12 2009, 3:39PM
“First, let me say that I detest New Labour as they have brought the country to its knees. I also detest the gingoistic UKIP. It is a good thing that the vote was a protest.
Making a note of my first sentence(!), my sympathies go to Glynn Ford. He has been an excellent advocate for us in the south West. Thanks Glyn. The new ones have something to live up to.
Europe is very important to us so it is a good job that the excellent Graham Watson is still there to counter the anti European UKIP and the moat cleaning and duck house Tories.”
by mikesmithglos, Gloucester City
Thursday, June 11 2009, 8:20PM
“I do wish you and others would stop lumping the UK Independence Party with the lothesome BNP.
There is nothing right wing or extreme about wanting to live in a free, independent, democratic, self-governing country.
(The BNP meanwhile are working with fascist parties in France and Italy to create a National Socialist Europe.)
For years, the majority have agreed with UKIP on the need to get out of the EU but when faced with a ballot paper have reverted to their traditional Parties in the belief that UKIP can't win and a vote for them will let in the Party that they detest.
This time, sick and tired of the Old Parties they have thought 'We agree with UKIP and don't want to vote for the Old Parties - so we will 'give them a go'.
Now they can see that UKIP can beat Labour and the Lib Dems, so, come the General Election look out for a major sea-change in British politics.”
by George Davis, Cheltenham
Tuesday, June 09 2009, 1:45PM
“When referring to "Nazi" I wonder if people on the left realise that the full title of Hitler's party was "Natiional Socialist German Workers' Party". Can't get more left wing than that. Incidentally, there is always a strange silence here on the crimes against their own people and others by Stalin and Mao. Having said this I have no time for extremes on either side. The father of our present Foreign Secretary was (is?) a Marxist.”
by jim, manchester
Tuesday, June 09 2009, 7:39AM
“i thought that this country had the free of speach but yet they seem to say that the b.n.p can,t.
they are only saying what others behind the door wont say it time to think? and listen to the people of this country”