What does an MEP do?

The UK European Parliament Office has produced this short film on the right, featuring Linda, which explains the work for MEPs. Just click 'play' to watch it.

Just as you elect councillors to deal with local issues and MPs to deal with national issues, so you elect Members of the European Parliament to deal with European issues. MEPs represent regional constituencies, with Yorkshire and the Humber for instance having six MEPs.

An MEPs Main Task

MEPs vote on European Legislation, just as MPs in the House of Commons vote on National Legislation. European Legislation (Directives and Regulations) is binding across the whole of the European Union (EU).

The EU does not and cannot legislate in areas that are purely of national concern, such as housing, organisation of schools and local authorities, our health service or our level of income tax. However, in some areas it is mainly European, rather than National law that regulate us all. This is the case for much commercial legislation, consumer protection, environmental standards, subsidies for economic development, competition policy, safety standards and social rights.
 

Your Voice In Europe

19 Labour MEPs are working to ensure that Britain feels the full benefit of our membership of the EU. We concentrate on the issues that really matter: jobs, a competitive and sustainable economy, the environment, crime and consumer protection.

MEPs divide their time between their work in the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg and their constituencies. The usual pattern is to be away in Brussels or Strasbourg from Monday through until Thursday, and then back in the constituency on Friday and through the weekend.

MEPs meet in Brussels for three weeks out of four for parliamentary committees and political group meetings. The fourth week is spent in Strasbourg where legislation is voted through in "plenary" sessions.