Theresa May speaks out over ‘disappointing’ EU election result days after quitting… as Nigel Farage eyes general election

Theresa May has spoken out about her party’s humiliating night in the European elections, saying she “sincerely hopes these results focus minds in Parliament”.

The Prime Minister, who announced she was resigning as Tory leader on Friday, described the result as “very disappointing”.

The Conservatives have won just four MEPs, securing just 9.1 per cent of the of the vote – their worst ever national election share.

Mrs May tweeted: “Some excellent MEPs have lost their seats, some excellent candidates missed out. But Labour have also suffered big losses.

“It shows the importance of finding a Brexit deal, and I sincerely hope these results focus minds in Parliament.”

It comes as Nigel Farage said he wanted to “change the shape of British politics” by taking his Brexit Party to a general election after storming to victory on Sunday night.

His party have won 29 seats, overtaking the 24 MEPs that Mr Farage’s former party Ukip sent to the European Parliament in 2014.

Mr Farage said this morning: ‘If we don’t leave in October the Brexit party will go on to a general election.

‘We are happy to help any leader who is genuine about us leaving the EU.

“We would like to be part of the negotiating team, use us and give us some responsibility, but they need to be prepared to leave with a clean break Brexit. Boris Johnson, Dominic Raab, Michael Gove – all of them voted for Mrs May’s European treaty.

“It’s all about establishing trust – if the next leader says the same thing then no one is going to trust them.

“This is just the beginning of a new political movement.”

“Never before in British politics has a new political party appeared rather like a jack-in-a-box and won a national election,” he added.

The Lib Dems, reduced to just a single MEP in 2014, were on 16 after their best ever European results.

Labour had 10, halved from 20, the Greens – who also enjoyed a boost from pro-EU voters – were on seven, up from three in 2014.

Divisions in Labour were laid bare following the results, with Sir Keir Starmer, Emily Thornberry and Tom Watson calling for the party to rethink its position – but Jeremy Corbyn said a general election remained his priority.

“The priority at the moment, I think, is for this Government to call for a general election and actually have a general election so we can decide the future,” Mr Corbyn told reporters.

However shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir said the “only way to break the Brexit impasse” was to “go back to the public with a choice between a credible leave option and remain”.

Meanwhile Home Secretary Sajid Javid, a potential Tory leadership contender, said the “hugely disappointing” results for the Conservative Party were a “clear lesson” that the public wants the Government to get on with delivering Brexit.

Prominent Brexiteer and MEP Daniel Hannan, who managed to cling on to his seat in the South East, said it was “without question our worst result as a party ever”.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the result for the SNP, who won three seats, was “historic”, adding: “Scotland has spoken – we are not for Brexit.”

Results for Northern Ireland are expected on Monday evening.