THE LOOK on Ann Widdecombe’s face told the story of the night.

A month before the European Elections last Thursday, the former Conservative Party MP had declared her support for Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party.

And late on Sunday night, Dartmoor resident Miss Widdecombe was confirmed as one of three new Brexit Party MEPs for the south west. The party built on UKIP's 2014 showing, with 611,742 votes across the region. It was the big winner in Swindon, with 35 per cent of votes cast.

Speaking after the south west count was confirmed, Miss Widdecombe said: "Tonight reaffirms the vote of 2016. There was only one reason for voting for the Brexit Party and that was if you wanted a Brexit.

"When we go to Brussels we will say that because of our showing in this election and the fact we so clearly speak for the people, we want a role in the negotiations."

In Swindon, UKIP parliamentary candidate-turned Brexit Party supporter Martin Costello cheered as the votes were announced – later posing beside a Union Jack with other party backers.

Decrying what he called “treacherous MPs”, Mr Costello called for the UK to leave the EU on World Trade Organisation rules: "I'm absolutely ecstatic. Swindon has come out and sent a very clear message to the political establishment."

In Swindon, as across the country, it proved a good night for pro-remain parties the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party.

The Lib Dems took 9,511 votes in the town. Regionally, they pipped the Greens to second place, with Caroline Voaden and Martin Horwood were elected MEPs for the party. Reacting to the result, former North Swindon MP hopeful for the Liberal Democrats, Liz Webster, said: "I'm really delighted for the Lib Dems. It really shows a change in attitude."

Green MEP Molly Scott-Cato held her seat, adding seven per cent to her share of the regional vote. She said:  “Our ‘tough on Brexit, tough on the causes of Brexit’ message has resonated with many people."

Nationally, the story was of the demise of the two main parties. Former south west MEP Ashley Fox, until now leader of the Conservative Party group in the European Parliament, lost his seat – and regionally the Tories’ vote share plummeted by a fifth. In Swindon, the party limped into fifth place with 5,550 votes.

Locally, Labour took the third spot, scoring 7,838 votes. The party's south west, MEP Clare Moody lost her seat. She tweeted: “I’m deeply disappointed to have lost last night. Thank you to everybody who campaigned for and voted Labour on Thursday, and I’m truly sorry we didn’t win yesterday.”

Robert Buckland, Conservative MP for South Swindon, said: "This is a very bad result for both the main parties. Voters have used this opportunity to express their views on Leave or Remain and to register their deep frustration about events, which is entirely understandable."

Asked what lesson MPs should take from the results, Mr Buckland said: "The country is still divided, but both the main parties in parliament were elected to deliver Brexit. That fact cannot be ignored."

Controversial candidate Carl Benjamin’s UK Independence Party only managed to poll sixth place across the south west.

And while regionally UKIP managed to hold onto its deposit - unlike in the north west - it was a poor showing for the party that in 2014 took first place and 32 per cent of the vote.

Mr Benjamin, a YouTuber from Peatmoor whose comments suggesting he might rape Labour MP Jess Phillips drew condemnation, did not attend the Swindon count on Sunday night. Nor, according to reports, was he at the main regional count in Poole.

He said yesterday of the result: "No surprises. Looking foward to leaving the EU. Self-determination is the right of every country. See you after Brexit."

Kate Linnegar, Labour’s North Swindon MP candidate, said she was “pleased” Mr Benjamin had failed to win a seat in the European Parliament: “Someone who jokes about rape is not fit to hold office.”

In Wiltshire, the results mirrored Swindon's. The Brexit Party won 35 per cent of the vote, Lib Dems 25 per cent, Greens took 16 per cent, the Conservatives 11 per cent, Labour 4 per cent, Change UK 3.18 per cent and UKIP 3.14 per cent.