Nick Clegg finally emerged on Monday afternoon after a torrid weekend at the polls, appearing close to tears as he told Sky News it was "gutting" and "heartbreaking" to see his party firmly routed in the European elections.
The Lib Dems were almost entirely wiped out in the European parliament, losing all but one of their 11 MEPs, while Nigel Farage's eurosceptic Ukip surged to victory. After the votes were counted the only Lib Dem MEP who managed to keep her seat was Catherine Bearder in the South East of England.
Clegg looked close to tears when he finally appeared on Sky News
On Monday morning, the Twitter hashtags #wheresnick and #cleggedit trended in the UK, as the nation awaited the deputy PM’s response. When it came, it was from a puffy, tired face with watery eyes. "It’s gutting, it’s heartbreaking, frankly to see Liberal Democrats candidates, councillors, members of the European parliament, many of who are old colleagues and friends of mine, lose their seats in this race, which has been a huge setback," he said.
The results have placed enormous pressure on the beleaguered Lib Dem leader, particularly in the wake of the party's dismal local elections results. The deputy prime minister took a chance by taking on Farage in head-to-head debates ahead of the elections and highlighted his support for the Brussels project by casting the Lib Dems as the "party of in".
Clegg told Sky: "There has been a very sharp turn, not only here but across Europe, to the right and in some cases the far right and that uniquely, certainly in British politics, the Liberal Democrats have decided to take on Ukip and argue for the things we believe in, a generous hearted, an open minded, an internationalist Britain. It didn’t work, but it was right that we stood up for the values we believe in."
On Monday afternoon, one Lib Dem MP publically called for his party leader to resign. John Pugh, the MP for Southport, said the results were "abysmal they are worrying they are undeserved". He told the BBC on Monday afternoon that the deputy prime minister should fall on his sword as voters were simply "not listening" to him.
"My preference would be for a Cable succession, but that’s not up to me, that's up to what the polls tell us about what will make the Lib Dems popular and successful and progressive it’s also what the party wants," he said. "If we carry on as usual then we are like the generals at the Somme because these losses are horrendous."
However, Cable, who is currently on a government trade visit in China, said his party has "no leadership issue", releasing a statement that on Monday afternoon acknowledging the "exceptionally disappointing results for the party".
"Many hard-working Liberal Democrats, who gave this fight everything they had and then lost their seats, are feeling frustrated and disheartened, and we all understand that," said Cable. "Nick did a bold thing in standing up to the eurosceptic wave which has engulfed much of continental Europe. We are the only party to have taken that on and he personally deserves tremendous credit for that.
"There is no leadership issue. We have also undoubtedly taken a kicking for being in government with the Conservatives and having to take some extremely tough decisions in the national interest. But now is not the time for infighting and introspection.
"The party must hold its nerve. We must focus on delivering our policies in government and that's exactly what I'm doing in China, helping British businesses secure contracts with the world's fastest-growing economy."
European and local council elections
BRITAIN-EU-VOTE(01 of112)
UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage (2L) smiles sitting with UKIP MEP candidates Janice Atkinson (L) and Diane James (3R) and Ray Finch (2R) as the South East England region results of the European Parliament elections are declared by the returning officer at Southampton Guildhall in Southampton, southern England, on May 25, 2014. Results rolled in for the European Parliament elections with all eyes on potential gains by Europe's increasingly popular anti-EU parties. Farage, leader of the eurosceptic UKIP on May 25 said his party was on course to cause a political 'earthquake' as it took the lead in the European parliament election in Britain. UKIP took seats in the South East region. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read OPTIONAL,TTL,CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage (2L) smiles sitting with UKIP MEP candidates Janice Atkinson (L) and Diane James (3R) and Ray Finch (2R) as the South East England region results of the European Parliament elections are declared by the returning officer at Southampton Guildhall in Southampton, southern England, on May 25, 2014. Results rolled in for the European Parliament elections with all eyes on potential gains by Europe's increasingly popular anti-EU parties. Farage, leader of the eurosceptic UKIP on May 25 said his party was on course to cause a political 'earthquake' as it took the lead in the European parliament election in Britain. UKIP took seats in the South East region. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read OPTIONAL,TTL,CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Syriza's leader Alexis Tsipras, candidate to head the European Commission for the European Left, gives a speech after the results of the European elections, outside the Athens University, on May 25, 2014. Greece's anti-austerity leftist party Syriza held a slight lead in European Parliament elections, exit polls showed on Sunday. Syriza's 39-year-old leader Alexis Tsipras said the government had lost its legitimacy and called for national elections.. AFP PHOTO / ARIS MESSINIS (Photo credit should read ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Labour's ?? gives a speech during the European Parliamentary elections count at Manchester Town Hall, Manchester. (credit:PA)
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UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage smiles as he hears the results during the European Parliamentary elections count at the Guildhall in Southampton, Hampshire. (credit:PA)
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Leader of the BNP Nick Griffin after losing his seat during the European Parliamentary elections count at Manchester Town Hall, Manchester. (credit:PA)
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Leader of the BNP Nick Griffin after losing his seat during the European Parliamentary elections count at Manchester Town Hall, Manchester. (credit:PA)
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Labour Party members celebrate their success during the European Parliamentary elections count at Manchester Town Hall, Manchester. (credit:PA)
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Sinn Feins Lynn Boylan is elected as an MEP for Dublin in European Parliamentary elections count at the RDS in Dublin. (credit:PA)
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Sinn Feins Lynn Boylan is elected as an MEP during European Parliamentary elections count at the RDS in Dublin. (credit:PA)
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Counting in the European elections started at 17:00 on Sunday 25th May. Pictures from the first boxes being counted in Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh. (credit:PA)
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Counting in the European elections started at 17:00 on Sunday 25th May. Pictures from the first boxes being counted in Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh. (credit:PA)
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Counting in the European elections started at 17:00 on Sunday 25th May. Pictures from the first boxes being counted in Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh. (credit:PA)
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Counting in the European elections started at 17:00 on Sunday 25th May. Pictures from the first boxes being counted in Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh. Sue Bruce, returning officer, announcing the turn out figures of 41.6\%, up from 28\% at previous election. (credit:PA)
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Counting in the European elections started at 17:00 on Sunday 25th May. Pictures from the first boxes being counted in Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh. (credit:PA)
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Counting begins at the European Parliamentary elections at the RDS in Dublin. (credit:PA)
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Counting begins at the European Parliamentary elections at the RDS in Dublin. (credit:PA)
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Counting begins at the European Parliamentary elections at the RDS in Dublin. (credit:PA)
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Counting begins at the European Parliamentary elections at the RDS in Dublin. (credit:PA)
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Labour MEP Emer Costello and her husband Joe speak to the media as counting begins in the European Parliamentary elections count at the RDS in Dublin. (credit:PA)
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Labour MEP Emer Costello (centre) is greeted by supporters as counting begins in the European Parliamentary elections count at the RDS in Dublin. (credit:PA)
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Labour MEP Emer Costello speaks to the media as counting begins in the European Parliamentary elections count at the RDS in Dublin. (credit:PA)
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Officials sort out the votes into separate piles for each political party during the European Parliamentary elections count at the Guildhall in Southampton, Hampshire. (credit:PA)
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Officials sort out the votes into separate piles for each political party during the European Parliamentary elections count at the Guildhall in Southampton, Hampshire. (credit:PA)
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Officials prepare the votes before the counting begins during the European Parliamentary elections count at the Guildhall in Southampton, Hampshire. (credit:PA)
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Members of the public wait for results as counting begins in the European Parliamentary elections count at the RDS in Dublin. (credit:PA)
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A number 1 vote for Sinn Fein's Lynn Boylan, as counting begins the European Parliamentary elections count at the RDS in Dublin. (credit:PA)
Local and European Parliamentary elections(28 of112)
Fianna Fail candidate Mary Fitzpatrick speaks to the media, as counting begins in the European Parliamentary elections count at the RDS in Dublin. (credit:PA)
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Fianna Fail candidate Mary Fitzpatrick speaks to the media, as counting begins in the European Parliamentary elections count at the RDS in Dublin. (credit:PA)
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Ballot papers, as counting begins in the European Parliamentary elections count at the RDS in Dublin. (credit:PA)
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A man wearing a Sinn Fein rosette, as counting begins in the European Parliamentary elections count at the RDS in Dublin. (credit:PA)
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Electoral personnel count votes after presidential elections at a polling station in Cali, Colombia, on May 25, 2014. Colombians vote Sunday in a presidential election held up as a test for peace talks between the government and Marxist guerrillas to end a half-century-old civil war. AFP PHOTO / LUIS ROBAYO (Photo credit should read LUIS ROBAYO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
EU Election Count In Southampton(33 of112)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 25: UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage arrives at the Guildhall for the results of the South East election count on May 25, 2014 in Southampton, England. UKIP, which advocates withdrawal from the European Union, is predicted to make strong gains in the elections. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Supporters of Colombian presidential candidate for the Democratic Center party Oscar Ivan Zuluaga react after knowing the results of the presidential election in Bogota, on May 25, 2014. Colombian opposition candidate Oscar Zuluaga led President Juan Manuel Santos in elections on Sunday but the rivals will head to a June 15 runoff vote, preliminary votes showed. AFP PHOTO/Eitan Abramovich (Photo credit should read EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Supporters of Colombian presidential candidate for the Democratic Center party Oscar Ivan Zuluaga react after knowing the results of the presidential election in Bogota, on May 25, 2014. Colombian opposition candidate Oscar Zuluaga led President Juan Manuel Santos in elections on Sunday but the rivals will head to a June 15 runoff vote, preliminary votes showed. AFP PHOTO/Eitan Abramovich (Photo credit should read EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Labour leader Ed Miliband is greeted by supporters and councillors at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford, Essex, where Labour took control of Redbridge council during yesterday's local elections. (credit:PA)
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Labour leader Ed Miliband is greeted by supporters and councillors at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford, Essex, where Labour took control of Redbridge council during yesterday's local elections. (credit:PA)
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Labour leader Ed Miliband is greeted by supporters and councillors at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford, Essex, where Labour took control of Redbridge council during yesterday's local elections. (credit:PA)
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Labour leader Ed Miliband is greeted by supporters and councillors at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford, Essex, where Labour took control of Redbridge council during yesterday's local elections. (credit:PA)
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Labour leader Ed Miliband is greeted by supporters and councillors at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford, Essex, where Labour took control of Redbridge council during yesterday's local elections. (credit:PA)
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Labour leader Ed Miliband is greeted by supporters and councillors at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford, Essex, where Labour took control of Redbridge council during yesterday's local elections. (credit:PA)
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Ukip party leader Nigel Farage meets supporters during a visit to South Ockendon, Essex, as his party make gains across the country following yesterdays voting in local elections. (credit:PA)
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Ukip party leader Nigel Farage enjoys a pint in the Hoy and Helmet Pub in South Benfleet, Essex, as his party make gains across the country following yesterdays voting in local elections. (credit:PA)
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Ukip party leader Nigel Farage enjoys a pint in the Hoy and Helmet Pub in South Benfleet, Essex, as his party make gains across the country following yesterdays voting in local elections. (credit:PA)
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Ukip party leader Nigel Farage enjoys a pint in the Hoy and Helmet Pub in South Benfleet, Essex, as his party make gains across the country following yesterdays voting in local elections. (credit:PA)
Political Leaders React To Local Election Results(46 of112)
SOUTH OCKENDEN, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 23: United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage celebrates with local councillors on May 23, 2014 in South Ockenden, England. Early local election results announced overnight show substantial gains for UKIP. European election results will be released on May 25, 2014. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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SOUTH OCKENDEN, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 23: United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage celebrates with local councillors on May 23, 2014 in South Ockenden, England. Early local election results announced overnight show substantial gains for UKIP. European election results will be released on May 25, 2014. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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SOUTH OCKENDEN, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 23: United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) supporters wave to drivers as they wait for leader Nigel Farage to arrive on May 23, 2014 in South Ockenden, England. Early local election results announced overnight show subsantial gains for UKIP. European election results will be released on May 25, 2014. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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SOUTH OCKENDEN, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 23: United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) supporters wave to drivers as they wait for leader Nigel Farage to arrive on May 23, 2014 in South Ockenden, England. Early local election results announced overnight show subsantial gains for UKIP. European election results will be released on May 25, 2014. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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SOUTH OCKENDEN, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 23: United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage celebrates with local councillors on May 23, 2014 in South Ockenden, England. Early local election results announced overnight show substantial gains for UKIP. European election results will be released on May 25, 2014. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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UKIP Leader Nigel Farage waves as he leaves his home in Cudham, Kent, as his party made gains across the country following yesterdays voting in local council elections. (credit:PA)
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UKIP Leader Nigel Farage leaves his home in Cudham, Kent, as his party made gains across the country following yesterdays voting in local council elections. (credit:PA)
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UKIP Leader Nigel Farage waves as he leaves his home in Cudham, Kent, as his party made gains across the country following yesterdays voting in local council elections. (credit:PA)
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UKIP Leader Nigel Farage gives a media interview before leaving his home in Cudham, Kent, as his party made gains across the country following yesterdays voting in local council elections. (credit:PA)
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UKIP Leader Nigel Farage gives a media interview before leaving his home in Cudham, Kent, as his party made gains across the country following yesterdays voting in local council elections. (credit:PA)
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A Post office being used as a polling station on Beverly Road in Hull as voting in Local and European elections takes place. (credit:PA)
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A defaced UKIP poster in Sheffield as votes are cast across the country in today's Local and European elections. (credit:PA)
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A defaced UKIP Party poster in Sheffield as votes are cast across the country in today's Local and European elections. (credit:PA)
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Local man Peadar O'Brien chats with Carmel McBride, Presiding Officer for Inishbofin, an island off the coast of Donegal, Ireland, and Garda Michael McElroy, after casting his vote, as Islanders go to the polls a day earlier in the local and European elections. Of 64 registered voters on the island 3 turned out. (credit:PA)
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Counting begins at Fleming Park Leisure Centre in Eastleigh for the Eastleigh Borough Council elections. (credit:PA)
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Carmel McBride, Presiding Officer for Inishbofin, an island off the coast of Donegal, Ireland, and Garda Michael McElroy, leaves the polling station with the ballot box, as Islanders go to the polls a day earlier in the local and European elections. Of 64 registered voters on the island 3 turned out. (credit:PA)
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Counting begins at Fleming Park Leisure Centre in Eastleigh for the Eastleigh Borough Council elections. (credit:PA)
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Counting begins at Fleming Park Leisure Centre in Eastleigh for the Eastleigh Borough Council elections. (credit:PA)
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The election count for Bristol City Council gets underway at the City Academy school in Bristol. See PA story POLL Main. (credit:PA)
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The election count for Bristol City Council gets underway at the City Academy school in Bristol. See PA story POLL Main. (credit:PA)
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Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha leave Methodist Central Hall in Westminster after voting. Polling has opened across Britain as millions of voters cast their ballots in European and local council elections. (credit:PA)
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British Prime Minister David Cameron (R) and his wife Samantha pose for photographs as they leave Westminster Methodist Hall in central London, after voting in the local and European elections on May 22, 2014. Europe's mammoth parliamentary elections kicked off on Thursday, with Britain and the Netherlands going to the polls in a vote that is expected to see a swing towards populist right-wing parties. The elections, which are spread over four days in the EU's 28 member states, are expected to see major gains for parties bent on dismantling the European Union from the inside. AFP PHOTO/LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha arrive at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster to vote. Polling has opened across Britain as millions of voters cast their ballots in European and local council elections. (credit:PA)
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Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha leave Methodist Central Hall in Westminster after voting. Polling has opened across Britain as millions of voters cast their ballots in European and local council elections. (credit:PA)
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British opposition Labour Party leader Ed Miliband and his wife Justine (L) arrive to vote at Sutton Village Hall in Sutton, southeast of Leeds in northern England on May 22, 2014. Europe's mammoth parliamentary elections kicked off on Thursday, with Britain and the Netherlands going to the polls in a vote that is expected to see a swing towards populist right-wing parties. The elections, which are spread over four days in the EU's 28 member states, are expected to see major gains for parties bent on dismantling the European Union from the inside. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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British opposition Labour Party leader Ed Miliband and his wife Justine (L) arrive to vote at Sutton Village Hall in Sutton, southeast of Leeds in northern England on May 22, 2014. Europe's mammoth parliamentary elections kicked off on Thursday, with Britain and the Netherlands going to the polls in a vote that is expected to see a swing towards populist right-wing parties. The elections, which are spread over four days in the EU's 28 member states, are expected to see major gains for parties bent on dismantling the European Union from the inside. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Ed Miliband and his wife Justine leave Sutton Village Hall in south Yorkshire after they cast their votes. Polling has opened across Britain as millions of voters cast their ballots in European and local council elections. (credit:PA)
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Ed Miliband and his wife Justine arrive at Sutton Village Hall in south Yorkshire to cast their votes. Polling has opened across Britain as millions of voters cast their ballots in European and local council elections. (credit:PA)
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Ed Miliband and his wife Justine leave Sutton Village Hall in south Yorkshire after they cast their votes. Polling has opened across Britain as millions of voters cast their ballots in European and local council elections. (credit:PA)
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Ed Miliband and his wife Justine leave Sutton Village Hall in south Yorkshire after they cast their votes. Polling has opened across Britain as millions of voters cast their ballots in European and local council elections. (credit:PA)
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Ed Miliband and his wife Justine arrive at Sutton Village Hall in south Yorkshire to cast their votes. Polling has opened across Britain as millions of voters cast their ballots in European and local council elections. (credit:PA)
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UKIP Leader Nigel Farage poses for photographers as leaves Cudham Church of England Primary School in Cudham, Kent, after casting his vote in today's Local and European elections. (credit:PA)
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UKIP Leader Nigel Farage arrives at Cudham Church of England Primary School in Cudham, Kent, to cast his vote in today's Local and European elections. (credit:PA)
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UKIP Leader Nigel Farage poses for photographers as leaves Cudham Church of England Primary School in Cudham, Kent, after casting his vote in today's Local and European elections. (credit:PA)
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UKIP Leader Nigel Farage poses for photographers as leaves Cudham Church of England Primary School in Cudham, Kent, after casting his vote in today's Local and European elections. (credit:PA)
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UKIP Leader Nigel Farage talks to reporters as he leaves Cudham Church of England Primary School in Cudham, Kent, after casting his vote in today's Local and European elections. (credit:PA)
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UKIP Leader Nigel Farage leaves Cudham Church of England Primary School in Cudham, Kent, after casting his vote in today's Local and European elections. (credit:PA)
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UKIP Leader Nigel Farage arrives at Cudham Church of England Primary School in Cudham, Kent, to cast his vote in today's Local and European elections. (credit:PA)
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UKIP Leader Nigel Farage talks to the waiting media as he arrives at Cudham Church of England Primary School in Cudham, Kent, to cast his vote in today's Local and European elections. (credit:PA)
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BIGGIN HILL, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 22: United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage walks home after voting at a polling station on May 22, 2014 near Biggin Hill, England. Millions of voters are going to the polls today in local and European elections. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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BIGGIN HILL, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 22: United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage poses for photographs as he arrives at a polling station on May 22, 2014 near Biggin Hill, England. Millions of voters are going to the polls today in local and European elections. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Party Leaders Vote In European and Local Elections(87 of112)
BIGGIN HILL, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 22: United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage talks to reporters as he arrives at a polling station on May 22, 2014 near Biggin Hill, England. Millions of voters are going to the polls today in local and European elections. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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UKIP Leader Nigel Farage talks to the waiting media as he arrives at Cudham Church of England Primary School in Cudham, Kent, to cast his vote in today's Local and European elections. (credit:PA)
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Liberal Democrat leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg walks past a bus stop to cast his vote at the Hall Park Centre, Sheffield, as polling has opened across Britain as millions of voters cast their ballots in European and local council elections. (credit:PA)
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Liberal democrat leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg (left) arrives with local Lib Dem candidate David Baker to cast his vote at the Hall Park Centre, Sheffield, as polling has opened across Britain as millions of voters cast their ballots in European and local council elections. (credit:PA)
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Liberal democrat leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg arrives to cast his vote at the Hall Park Centre, Sheffield, as polling has opened across Britain as millions of voters cast their ballots in European and local council elections. (credit:PA)
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Liberal democrat leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg leaves after casting his vote at the Hall Park Centre, Sheffield, as polling has opened across Britain as millions of voters cast their ballots in European and local council elections. (credit:PA)
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A police officer outside a polling station on Columbia Road in Tower Hamlets, east London, as part of a crackdown on voter intimidation and fraud at the local and European elections, as polling has opened across Britain as millions of voters cast their ballots in European and local council elections. (credit:PA)
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A police officer outside a polling station on Columbia Road in Tower Hamlets, east London, as part of a crackdown on voter intimidation and fraud at the local and European elections, as polling has opened across Britain as millions of voters cast their ballots in European and local council elections. (credit:PA)
Party Leaders Vote In European And Local Elections(95 of112)
NEWTON KYME, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 22: A mobile polling station in the Local and European elections on May 22, 2014 in Newton Kyme, England. Millions of voters are going to the polls today in local and European elections. (Photo by Nigel Roddis Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Party Leaders Vote In European And Local Elections(96 of112)
BIGGIN, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 22: Officials wait for voters at mobile polling station in the Local and European elections on May 22, 2014 in Biggin, England. Millions of voters are going to the polls today in local and European elections. (Photo by Nigel Roddis Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Voters Participate In European and Local Elections(97 of112)
REDCAR, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 22: Signs adourn the walls of a polling station during the European and local elections in Redcar on May 22, 2014 in Teesside, England. Millions of voters are going to the polls today in local and European elections. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Voters Participate In European and Local Elections(98 of112)
SALTBURN, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 22: A woman walks her dog past a polling station during the European and local elections in Saltburn on May 22, 2014 in Teesside, England. Millions of voters are going to the polls today in local and European elections. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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CARLIN HOW, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 22: A man walks from a polling station during the European and local elections in Carlin How on May 22, 2014 in East Cleveland, England. Millions of voters are going to the polls today in local and European elections. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Voters Participate In European and Local Elections(100 of112)
SALTBURN, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 22: A voter walks into a polling station during the European and local elections in Saltburn on May 22, 2014 in Teesside, England. Millions of voters are going to the polls today in local and European elections. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Voters Participate In European and Local Elections(101 of112)
REDCAR, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 22: A couple walk from a polling station during the European and local elections in Redcar on May 22, 2014 in Teesside, England. Millions of voters are going to the polls today in local and European elections. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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SALTBURN, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 22: A voter walks into a polling station during the European and local elections in Saltburn on May 22, 2014 in Teesside, England. Millions of voters are going to the polls today in local and European elections. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EU-VOTE(103 of112)
Poll Clerk Phil Hinsley stands with four ducks as he positions Polling Station information to a footpath sign in Mattingley near Hartley Wintney, 45 miles west of London on May 22, 2014. Europe's mammoth parliamentary elections kicked off on Thursday, with Britain and the Netherlands going to the polls in a vote that is expected to see a swing towards populist right-wing parties. The elections, which are spread over four days in the EU's 28 member states, are expected to see major gains for parties bent on dismantling the European Union from the inside. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EU-VOTE(104 of112)
Schoolchildren walk past the polling station at Rotherwick Village Hall near Hartley Wintney, 45 miles west of London on May 22, 2014. Europe's mammoth parliamentary elections kicked off on Thursday, with Britain and the Netherlands going to the polls in a vote that is expected to see a swing towards populist right-wing parties. The elections, which are spread over four days in the EU's 28 member states, are expected to see major gains for parties bent on dismantling the European Union from the inside. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EU-VOTE(105 of112)
A man leaves the polling station after casting a vote at Rotherwick Village Hall near Hartley Wintney, 45 miles west of London on May 22, 2014. Europe's mammoth parliamentary elections kicked off on Thursday, with Britain and the Netherlands going to the polls in a vote that is expected to see a swing towards populist right-wing parties. The elections, which are spread over four days in the EU's 28 member states, are expected to see major gains for parties bent on dismantling the European Union from the inside. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
NETHERLANDS-EU-VOTE(106 of112)
A woman walks into at a polling station to vote in the European elections in Wageningen on May 22, 2014. Europe's mammoth parliamentary elections kicked off on May 22, with Britain and the Netherlands going to the polls in a vote that is expected to see a swing towards populist right-wing parties. AFP PHOTO/ANP JEROEN JUMELET netherlands out (Photo credit should read JEROEN JUMELET/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Local council and European elections(107 of112)
An election worker ties a polling station poster to a fence outside St Stephens Parish Club for the Belle Vale District in Liverpool. (credit:PA)
Local council and European elections(108 of112)
An election worker ties a polling station poster to a fence outside St Stephens Parish Club for the Belle Vale District in Liverpool. (credit:PA)
Voters Take To The Polls In European and Local Elections(109 of112)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 22: Party workers stand outside a polling station at the Christ Church, Church of England Primary School in Brick Lane on May 22, 2014 in London, England. Millions of voters are going to the polls today in local and European elections. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Voters Take To The Polls In European and Local Elections(110 of112)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 22: A policeman and an official stand outside a polling station at Christ Church Church of England Primary School in Brick Lane on May 22, 2014 in London, England. Millions of voters are going to the polls today in local and European elections. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Voters Participate In European and Local Elections(111 of112)
SHEFFIELD, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 22: Polling station signage on display at Sandygate, the oldest football ground in the world and home of Hallam FC on May 22, 2014 in Sheffield, England. Voters across Europe are taking to the polls to vote in the elections for the European Parliament as well as local council elections in England and Northern Ireland. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Voters Take To The Polls In European and Local Elections(112 of112)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 22: Voters arrive at a polling station at the Christ Church Church of England Primary School in Brick Lane on May 22, 2014 in London, England. Millions of voters are going to the polls today in local and European elections. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)