Labour was slaughtered in the European polls - pushed into third place behind the Tories and the UK Independence Party. Labour's 15.3% share - the lowest for a party in power since 1918 - was even worse than party chiefs feared following the expenses scandal and the start of a Cabinet rebellion. That will spark another bid to oust Mr Brown by ex-ministers and Labour backbenchers following last week's near wipe-out in the council elections.

--Liverpool Echo, 8 June 2009

All over Europe, the centre-left has been haemorrhaging core voters. The fact that UKIP, an openly climate-sceptical party, has beaten Labour to second place is a clear signal. It suggests that any party promoting unpopular climate policies and green taxes that will further increase the cost of energy, transport and travel for ordinary families risks being punished in future elections. As far as Britain is concerned, the Labour government and its green agenda is finished. Let that be a warning to President Obama and other would-be salvationists.

--Benny Peiser, 8 June 2009

The UK Independence Party has finished second in the European elections, ahead of Labour, on an impressive night for the Eurosceptic party. It performed strongly in the East of England, where it won two seats and its total vote went up, and also picked up seats in Yorkshire and London. It gained 17.4% of the vote and increased its number of MEPs to 13, one more than it achieved in 2004.

--BBC News, 8 June 2009

The UK Independence Party believes that... there is insufficient proof that this is generated by carbon emissions. The over-reaction by other parties to global warming borders on the hysterical, and risks damaging Britain's economy and its people's way of life. By inappropriate taxation, ill-judged Government intervention and misguided diversion of funding, 'gesture environmentalism' will harm Britain's ability to respond effectively to environmental challenges both in the present and the future.

--UKIP Programme on Climate and Energy