Seven political parties plus independents are vying for votes - Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat, UK Independence Party, British National Party, The Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts and the British Democrat Party.

BBC: Leicestershire election 2013: Parties prepare for battle

The Conservatives finished third in Eastleigh, in Hampshire - behind the Liberal Democrats and the UK Independence Party (UKIP).

BBC: chris grayling

That's Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the UK Independence Party, the SNP, the Greens, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Fein.

BBC: My week as an MEP - My aims