Cornwall has voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Brexit Party in the European Elections, which received more than double the votes of any other party.

The party headed by Nigel Farage romped home with 71,681 votes in the Wadebridge count.

The Liberal Democrats came second, polling 34,845 votes, while the Green Party came a close third with 31,544.

As predicted, it has proved to be a dismal election for the Conservative and Labour parties, which received just 13,486 votes and 10,782 votes respectively.

The results reflect a similar trend nationally.

The six MEPs elected to the South West are: Ann Widecombe (Brexit), James Glancy (Brexit), Christina Jordan (Brexit), Molly Scott Cato (Green), Martin Horwood (Lib Dem) and Carol Voaden (Lib Dem).

Ms Widdecombe said: "I am very pleased to have been elected, not for me, but the Brexit Party," she said.

"We've only been around six weeks and we've topped the polls decisively. There was only one reason ever to vote for the Brexit Party and that was to get Brexit."

She added: "Tonight the nation has sent another message to Westminster, which says very clearly, 'We want to leave'.

"We did that in 2016 and we are telling you again. My message to Westminster is, 'Get us Brexit by October 31 or face what we have done tonight in a General Election'.

"Whoever is the next Prime Minister has got to give us a clear, firm, undisputed Brexit. That is the mission of that Prime Minister and any Prime Minister who does not deliver that is going to kill off the Conservative Party.

"It is a miserable business watching today's Conservative Party. I can't look at that, that is their problem. What I have got to look at is delivering Brexit - the will of the British people.

"That is this party's mission and that is what we are going to accomplish and I cannot waste time worrying about what the other parties are doing."

On the two-party system she added: "I am not yet ready to say this is definitely the end but if they don't deliver Brexit I genuinely believe it is the end.

"I am not fearful now that Brexit won't happen, I would have been a couple of months ago, particularly when Mrs May was offering every last concession to Labour.

"But that abject surrender failed and so I am now quite confident that after the message that has gone out tonight that should at last focus minds in Westminster."

Molly Scott Cato of the Green Party is the only currently serving MEP to retain her seat from 2014.

She said: “The huge increase in the Green vote where we beat the votes of Labour and the Conservatives combined shows that people across the region are disillusioned with two-party politics and are turning to the Greens because of our passion for Europe and our determination to stop Brexit through a People’s vote.  

“I am delighted that the people of the South West have trusted me to serve them for another five years so that I can continue my important work on stamping out tax dodging, making farming more sustainable as well as pushing for bold action on the climate emergency and a Green New Deal in Europe. Our ‘tough on Brexit, tough on the causes of Brexit’ message has also resonated with many people.

“This is turning out to be a thrilling night for the Green Party in the UK and across Europe. I am particularly delighted that the UK will be sending new MEPs to Brussels and in increased numbers. Here and across Europe we are truly surfing the Green wave and Green MEPs will be a strong and positive influence on legislation in the new European parliament, helping to deliver social, economic and environmental justice.” 

The voting region is made of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Gibraltar.

There were 175,475 votes cast in Cornwall, producing a turnout of 41.36 per cent for the county.

This is slightly higher than for the South West overall, which saw a 40.51 per cent turnout – although this was three per cent higher than in the 2014 European Election.

Cornwall’s results were expected to be declared at 10pm, once polls had closed around Europe, but were delayed for a recount of spoiled ballot papers, of which there were said to be quite a number. 

Cornwall's Results In Full 

Brexit Party 71,681

Liberal Democrats 34,845

Green 31,544

Conservative and unionist 13,486

Labour 10,782 UKIP 6,209

Change UK 4,191

English Democrats 924

Independent Neville Seed 529

Independent Larch Maxey 148

Independent Mothiur Rahman 81

South West Results 

Brexit Party 611,742

Liberal Democrats 385,095

Green 302,364

Conservative 144,674

Labour 108,100

UKIP 53,739

English Democrats 8,393

TURNOUT FIGURES
EXETER – 41 PER CENT
MID DEVON – 40 PER CENT
PLYMOUTH – 34.89 PER CENT
NORTH DEVON – 38.06 PER CENT
SOUTH HAMS – 46.8 PER CENT
WEST DEVON – 45.89 PER CENT
TORRIDGE – 39.7 PER CENT
EAST DEVON – 40.69 PER CENT
TEIGNBRIDGE – 42.45 PER CENT
CORNWALL – 41.4 PER CENT
TORBAY – 36.33 PER CENT