The differences between the national parliaments and the European Parliament delegations of France and the UK is a great argument for how Proportional Representation leads to vastly different seat outcomes with the same electorate compared to single member districts. In France the largest party in the European election has practically no seats in the national parliament.
But it isn't (really) the same electorate, given that turnout is so much lower in the Euros than in more important national elections. All the Euros are is a chance for individual electorates to let off a bit of steam and be 'creative' with their votes.
True, but the criticism still holds. Front National got 13% of the first round vote but only won two seats. UKIP could conceivably win 15% of the popular vote and no seats in 2015.
