Politicians have spoken out after the results of the European elections were announced.
Nationally, the Brexit Party secured a resounding victory in its own right with election maps swathed in turqouise representing the areas in which it polled the most votes.
In the East of England region, which includes authorities in Hertfordshire, the Brexit Party were the clear winners winning three of the seven Member of European Parliament seats. The party took 38 per cent of the total vote.
While it was a night to forget for the Conservatives and Labour, the Lib Dems were successful racking up victories in St Albans and Watford - but across the region, the party fell short of the Brexit vote by around 250,000 votes.
Brexit Party
Richard Tice is one of three new Brexit MEP's in the East of England.
He said he was "honoured" to be elected and said "this was just the beginning".
Honoured to have been elected an MEP for the East of England. The country has for the 3rd time in as many years voted to leave the EU - on WTO terms.
— Richard Tice (@TiceRichard) May 26, 2019
From nothing 5 weeks ago to the top - thank you, campaigners and supporters.
This is just the beginning #ChangePoliticsForGood➡️ pic.twitter.com/h3pbptpPdH
We had a simple message:
— Richard Tice (@TiceRichard) May 27, 2019
➡️ let’s restore trust in democracy
➡️ let’s promote a WTO Brexit
➡️ let’s get some of our MEPs around the negotiating table
And the British people have backed us 🇬🇧#ChangePoliticsForGood pic.twitter.com/xLYSLBiTJv
Lib Dems
Meanwhile, elected Lib Dem candidate Barbara Gibson tweeted a picture of her and her colleagues on Sunday night.
We did it! Two new Lib Dem MEPs in Eastern region, me (I know, right?!) and the fabulous @LNethsingha. Thanks to all who helped make it possible. pic.twitter.com/jnXTovq9cS
— Barbara Gibson 🔸 (@Barb_G) May 27, 2019
Sandy Walkington, who was looking to win a Lib Dem seat, said: "In St Albans, we received 45 per cent of the vote. I called at many hundreds of St Albans households during the last three weeks.
"The clear message echoed to me and my fellow candidates was that a majority of people want the chance for another referendum before any suggestion of crashing out without a deal."
Watford Lib Dem parliamentary candidate, Cllr Ian Stotesbury, said the result in Watford shows his party is ready in the town if a general election is called.
He said: "These results show how people locally support our message about stopping this disastrous Brexit process. We've been clear throughout this campaign that we do not support Brexit and voters have rewarded up for this.
"It's obvious that the Liberal Democrats are on the up, with two record breaking results this month. With support in Watford for Labour at a low, it's clear that the it's only the Liberal Democrats who can challenge the Conservatives at the next general election in our town."
Labour
Watford Labour parliamentary candidate Chris Ostrowski said: "These results have been very disappointing for Labour and I'm sorry we have lost Alex Mayer, who was a very effective Labour MEP for Watford.
"Two things need to happen quickly. There must be a new Parliament and a new referendum. Theresa May failed to find consensus in Parliament and her successor will fare no better.
"Watford's future, and Britain's future, lies in Europe. I will always support the UK remaining in a reformed EU. Watford Labour Party members are in favour of a second referendum and I will continue to campaign for a public vote and a Labour Government."
The full results
Change UK The Independent Group: 58,274 votes (3.65%)
Conservative and Unionist Party: 163,830 votes (10.25%)
English Democrats: 10,217 votes (0.64%)
Green Party: 202,460 votes (12.67%)
Labour Party: 139,490 votes (8.73%)
Liberal Democrats: 361,563 votes (22.62%)
The Brexit Party: 604,715 votes (37.83%)
UK Independence Party (UKIP): 54,676 votes (3.42%)
Independent (Attila Csordas): 3,230 votes (0.20%)
The seven MEPs for the region are:
Richard Tice, Brexit Party
Michael Heaver, Brexit Party
June Mummery, Brexit Party
Barbara Gibson, Liberal Democrat
Lucy Nethsingha, Liberal Democrat
Catherine Rowett, Green
Geoffrey Van Orden, Conservative
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