What does an MEP do?

9.26.05am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 9th Jul 2007

As candidates are being selected for the 2009 euro elections, perhaps you would like to know more about what an MEP does. This and other articles can be read on a regular basis in the LDEG newsletter so why not join LDEG? Old copies of the newsletter can be viewed in our download area. Read on for information about the enormous amount of work our MEPs do on our behalf.

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WHAT DOES AN MEP DO?

by Carol Weaver

A short answer to this question could be "Probably a lot more than most backbench MPs at Westminster." Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) take part in committees, often as rapporteurs, making a personal contribution to European legislation.

The European Union (EU) has a bi-cameral legislature with the Council representing the 27 member state governments and the European Parliament (EP) representing the European citizens who elect their MEPs, 78 of whom are British.

The job of an MEP is busy and varied.

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1. Working in parliamentary Committees

Committees debate and amend in detail the draft EU laws put forward by the Commission then report to plenary sessions of the full parliament. EP permanent committees include Foreign Affairs, Environment and International Trade. There may also be special subcommittees or temporary committees to investigate particular issues such as "extraordinary rendition". A committee is normally comprised of at least 25 MEPs from across the political spectrum.

Full details about every committee, its membership and its agenda can be found on the European Parliament's website.

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2. Taking part in debates and voting in plenary sessions.

During the plenary session the committee's rapporteur, responsible for drawing up a report, presents the committee's proposed amendments to the full chamber so that the subject can be discussed and voted upon by all MEPs.

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3. Taking part in negotiations with the Council

The Council can accept or amend or refuse to take a position on proposed legislation as amended by the EP. The co-decision procedure means that both the EP and the Council have the power to reject legislation.

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4. Scrutinising the Commission

MEPs take the role of scrutinising the Executive seriously whereas Westminster scrutiny of executive government is weak. The President of the Commission presents its annual work programme to the EP. Commissioners and their civil servants often give evidence to EP committees and questions are asked of the Commission.

MEPs have the power to censure the Commission as a whole and to have individual Commissioners dismissed.

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5. Attending public hearings and listening to lobbyists

Between plenary sessions the committees meet with the representatives of other institutions, organisations and civil society. Ministers from the current EU Presidency often appear before committees, as do the heads of the European Bank and the other EU agencies.

The committees hold public hearings on the wide range of subjects that fall within their remit, with speakers from a variety of fields and backgrounds. Lobbyists from interest groups such as business, NGOs, professions and trade unions all want to influence the EU.

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6. Representing a party

Almost all MEPs belong to one of the European parties such as the Alliance of Liberal Democrats in Europe (ALDE). The party is the place where policy is made and where committee members are selected.

MEPs also act as the focus for regional party activity.

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7. Representing regions and constituents

This involves helping constituents on European problems, speaking at schools, universities, public meetings and conferences as well as liaising with local authorities and business. Running a website and keeping the local press informed is also important as, in the UK especially, the media avoids European issues for much of the time.

MEPs also encourage, support and host visits to the Brussels institutions.

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8. Taking part in international delegations

The EP has delegations to countries throughout the world in order to represent the EU and to help create international or bi-lateral agreements. There are also inter-parliamentary delegations, joint parliamentary committees and parliamentary assemblies that meet on a regular basis both in Brussels and the country or region concerned. These could, for example, be set up to deal with EU enlargement or with promoting peace, democracy and human rights internationally.

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9. And last but not least… Travelling

Apart from travelling each week between home and Brussels, MEPs are obliged by treaty to travel to Strasbourg on a monthly basis for plenary sessions. MEPs may also take part in the extensive international work of the EU.

Carol Weaver

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