LONDON - With counting for the European Parliament elections now concluded throughout the 28 member-states of the European Union, it is clear that mainstream, long-established political European parties of both the left and right of the spectrum have lost heavily, as voters throughout the continent switched their loyalties to a variety of smaller and sometimes fringe movements.

Yet with the notable - if predictable - exception of Britain, most of those elected to serve in the new European Parliament remain ardent European Union supporters. The much-feared wave of anti-immigrant and often outright racist political movement is still being kept in check.