Euro-sceptics in south Essex have given Labour a trouncing in the elections for the European Parliament.
They have more than doubled the vote of the UK Independence Party, giving it two MEPs and making it the second biggest party in the Eastern Region.
The elections - results were announced late last night - proved a double whammy for Labour, which suffered heavy defeats in south Essex at the local polls.
Even the Conservatives, riding high after last Thursday's council elections, weren't immune from the anti-Euro message.
Two of the region's seven MEPs are now members of the UK Independence Party. The party's share of the vote soared from 8.89 per cent in 1999 - where it was the fourth choice - to 19.61 per cent this year.
Tom Wise, who joined existing UKIP MEP Jeffrey Titford, said: "I am on cloud nine - this is a massive result for us. We are now the country's third biggest party. People are going to have to take notice of us.
"It is a victory for the people of this country who have woken up to the fact this country's sovereignty is being surrendered to Europe."
More on the European Parliament elections and reaction in today's Evening Echo.
Published Monday June 14, 2004
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