The Green Party of England and Wales has overtaken the Liberal Democrats to finish fourth in the European elections for the first time, securing nearly 8 per cent of the national vote and three MEPs. The Liberal Democrats trailed with less than 7 per cent.
The Greens gained a new seat in the South West of England, while holding onto their existing seats in London and the South East. Party leader Natalie Bennett described the result as a "good night" and said she was "very pleased" with increasing representation and relegating the Lib Dems to fifth place.
Ms Bennett said the party would now target seats in next year's general election, and suggested the political landscape was volatile. She said voters were "not happy with politics as it is now" and wanted a different kind of politics and economics, adding that the Green Party offered hope.
Caroline Lucas, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, said the party was "very cheered" by the win, particularly in the South West. She noted that many people felt the EU was "something that is done to them."
The Liberal Democrats were left with only one European Parliamentary seat, suffering the heaviest losses among the main parties. Former MEP Sir Graham Watson, first elected in 1994, lost his seat in the South West, as the Lib Dems were pushed into last place in their regional stronghold.
