Gordon Brown's struggling Government could find out how to win back public support by "learning lessons" from Labour in Leicester, the leader of the city council said.

Councillor Ross Willmott spoke after electors in Leicester dramatically bucked the national trend in the European elections with Labour's share of the city vote increasing by nearly 10 percentage points.

It was a startling contrast to the rest of the country where Labour' s share of the vote fell by 7%.

Many of the city's traditional Labour voters appear to have returned to the fold after more than 7,000 people chose George Galloway's anti-Iraq war Respect party in the Euro poll in 2004.

However, Mr Willmott said that was only part of the reason for his party's success this time.

He said: "Obviously, there was that protest vote in 2004 but no way is that the full story.

"Our increase is 8% more than the Tories.

"The party nationally should look at Leicester.

"There are some lessons the Government could learn about practically getting things done and we're not afraid to do it.

"We haven't got everything right yet, but broadly speaking it shows people think we are doing things well. We are getting things done such as cleaning the city centre and regeneration."

Keith Vaz, MP for Leicester East, said the result was "a true reflection of the hard work that has gone into campaigning in the area".

He added: "There is no denying that it has been a tough few weeks for politics as a whole.

"This is why it is more important than ever that Labour are out there getting our message across to the people that matter – our constituents."

The last European elections were held during a time of strong feelings in Leicester against the Iraq war.

It was blamed, at least in part, for Labour losing control of the city council in 2003.

A year later, Labour lost a by-election in Leicester South, a month after Respect gained 7,375 votes at the last European elections.

In this election, Respect did not stand. The Conservatives' share of the vote increased too, by more than 1.5 percentage points.

Councillor Ross Grant, leader of the Conservative group on the city council, described the results as a "reality check".

He said: "Labour has more councillors in Leicester and these people tend to be the most committed activists so that can be a boost.

"In Leicester, Labour has done better which shows there's still work to be done for us. It's quite promising, but also a reality check."

In the rest of Leicestershire, results reflected the rest of the country, with Labour votes dropping dramatically.

The European Parliament is elected on a regional basis, but votes are counted within each council area.

The East Midlands returned Conservative MEPs Roger Helmer and Emma McClarkin, Glennis Willmott, of Labour, UKIP's Derek Clark and Liberal Democrat Bill Newton Dunn.

In the city yesterday, people were unsure why Labour had bucked the national trend.

Vicky Clarke, 27, of Thorpe Astley, said: "I think people vote for who they are used to and are reluctant to change."

Nyall Pollard, 37, Clarendon Park, said: "I believe low turn-out had a lot to do with the result.

"Generally, politicians aren't showing themselves in a good light."

Euro elections: How the parties fared in Leicester

Figures show party in 2004, in 2009 and the difference.

Labour - 27.5%, 37%, +9.5%

Conservative - 18.5%, 20%, +1.5%

Liberal Democrat - 13.5%, 11.5%, -2%

UK Independence Party - 19%, 8.5%, -10.5%

Green Party - 6%, 7.5%, +1.5%

British National Party - 6%, 7%, +1%

Respect - 9%, 0%, -9%.

Respect did not stand in this year's elections