Results and explanations : United Kingdom
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European Parliament elections 1999 Results and explanations : United Kingdom |
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Great Britain The European elections in Great Britain, the first to be undertaken under
a system of proportional representation, were characterised by a historically low turnout,
at 23.1% the lowest on record for a national election. Even so the Labour party saw its
share of the vote slide from 44.24% in 1994 to 28.03% this time with heavy losses of seats
from 62 to 29. The Conservatives increased their share of the vote from 27.83% to 35.7%.
Reasons given for voter apathy were a lacklustre campaign with the parties concentrating
on domestic issues and the distraction of Kosovo. The new voting system and, in
particular, the obligation to vote for parties with "closed" lists also came
under criticism. The Conservatives made the running with the slogan "in Europe but
not run by Europe" and concentrated on opposition to the single currency. The Liberal
Democrats although increasing their seats from 2 to 10, because of the new system,
actually saw their share of the votes fall from 16.72% in 1994 to 12.66% and even lost a
seat in the South West. Smaller parties were also successful in securing representation
for the first time with the anti-EU UK Independence party winning 3 seats, the Greens 2
and Plaid Cymru 2 in Wales. The SNP held onto their 2 seats in Scotland but with a smaller
share of the vote. Scotland Wales Northern Ireland England
Bedfordshire East Midlands Derbyshire London The administrative area of Greater London North East Darlington North West Blackburn with Darwen South East Bracknell Forest South West Bath & North East Somerset West Midlands Herefordshire Yorkshire and The Humber Kingston upon Hull |