A new face for Europe

The revolt against the socialists which has occurred across much of Europe was also evident in Spain where they’ve lost 5% of the vote and four seats since the last elections.

In Germany, which returns 99 of the parliament's 736 seats, the Social Democrats (SPD), the junior partner in Chancellor Angela Merkel's grand coalition, sunk to an all-time low, with 21% of the vote.

In Britain though the socialists suffered worse gaining only 15.3% of the votes cast (6.9% down from 2004).

The UKIP, who campaign to get Britain out of Europe, ended up with more seats than Labour and the ultra right BNP gained two seats.

Interest in the European parliament also suffered as the average turn out dropped to an estimated 43%, compared with 45% last time, and 62% in Europe's first election in 1979.

Clearly there is a big job to be done to relight voters interest in European politics and a task for the left wing to try and regain voters.