by Roxanne Blakelock Despite taking a pummelling at the Euro-polls nationwide and seeing their vote drop 24 per cent locally, Labour remain the best supported party in the borough. Results announced on Sunday evening saw Labour support in

by Roxanne Blakelock

Despite taking a pummelling at the Euro-polls nationwide and seeing their vote drop 24 per cent locally, Labour remain the best supported party in the borough.

Results announced on Sunday evening saw Labour support in Brent fall from 20,504 in 2004 to 15,583 this time.

The Conservatives were second in the borough, but their vote fell by 19 per cent from 14,859 in 2004 to 11,994.

Liberal Democrats are celebrating after seeing their vote rise 5 per cent, but they just missed taking second spot from the Tories.

They ended up on 11,370, up from 10,810 in 2004.

The British National Party finished eighth, a source of comfort on a night when they claimed their first Euro-seats in the north of England.

Cllr Ann John, Brent Council's opposition Labour leader, said: "Of course I am pleased that Labour is still the first choice of Brent residents even in the most difficult of times.

"Fortunately, the people of Brent and across London have once again rejected the fascist BNP and that is by far the most important aspect of the election result in London".

Dawn Butler MP for Brent South said, 'I would like to thank all residents who voted for Labour last Thursday.

"This is a difficult time for politics but we in Brent should be proud that we have sent a clear message that there is no place for divisive fascism or negative politics in our area.

"Our community is our strength and I look forward to us working together to make a positive difference."

Sarah Teather, Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East, said: "This has been a disastrous night for Labour.

People have sent a strong message that they are extremely concerned about the direction of our country and want to have their say on the failed policies of this government. Gordon Brown needs to call a general election."

Liberal Democrat Cllr Chris Leaman, said: "Voters have been clear that they support Sarah Teather's decision to reject public money to pay for a second home.

"Labour are in deep trouble here in Brent. They ran a negative and defensive campaign, mired in scandal and allegations about the misuse of taxpayer's money.

"Gordon Brown's Labour party has nothing positive left to say to the people of Brent."

Across London fewer people overall visited the ballot box as 1.7 million turned out to vote last Thursday, from an electorate of 5.2 million compared to 1.9m votes from an electorate of 5.05m in 2004.

The number of seats in the capital had been reduced by one from 2004 for the election from nine to eight. The ninth elected in 2004 was a Labour member and the results this time reflected that change. All other parties retained all their seats.

BRENT RESULTS

The Labour Party 15,583

Conservative Party 11,994

Liberal Democrats 11,370

The Green Party 5007

Independent - Jan Jananayagam 4867

United Kingdom Independence Party 3240

Christian Party "Proclaiming Christ's Lordship" 1974

British National Party 1250

No2EU: Yes to Democracy 680

Socialist Labour Party 540

English Democrats Party 435

Independent - Sohale Rahman 350

Jury Team 340

Pro Democracy: Libertas.eu 249

Independent - Steven Cheung 137

Yes 2 Europe 131

The Socialist Party of Great Britain 113

Independent - Gene Alcantara 106

Independent - Haroon Saad 95

LONDON RESULTS

Conservative 479,037 27.4 (+0.6) 3 seats

Labour 372,590 21.3 (-3.5) 2 seats

Liberal Democrats 240,156 13.7 (-1.6) 1 seat

Green Party 190,589 10.9 (+2.5) 1 seat

UK Independence Party 188,440 10.8 (-1.6) 1 seat

British National Party 86,420 4.9 (+0.9)

Christian Party-Christian Peoples Alliance 51,336 2.9 (+2.9)

Independent - Jan Jananayagam 50,014 2.9 (+2.9)

English Democrat 24,477 1.4 (+0.6)

No2EU 17,758 1.0 (+1.0)

Socialist Labour Party 15,306 0.9 (+0.9)

Libertas 8,444 0.5 (+0.5)

Jury Team 7,284 0.4 (+0.4)

Independent - Steven Cheung 4,918 0.3 (+0.3)

Socialist Party of Great Britain 4,050 0.2 (+0.2)

Yes 2 Europe 3,384 0.2(+0.2)

Independent - Sohale Rahman 3,248 0.2 (+0.2)

Independent - Gene Alcantara 1,972 0.1 (+0.1)

Independent - Haroon Saad 1,603 0.1 (+0.1)

roxanne.blakelock@archant.co.uk