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| Diary - My week as an MEP | Diary - My week as an MEP |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| BBC political reporter Brian Wheeler is spending the week living the life of a Member of the European Parliament. The aim is to find out what they do and what they are for. Are they powerless and enjoying the ultimate gravy train or working round-the-clock to make the world a better place? He is shadowing MEPs from all the British parties with the hope of finding the answer. Follow his progress via regular despatches on this page: | BBC political reporter Brian Wheeler is spending the week living the life of a Member of the European Parliament. The aim is to find out what they do and what they are for. Are they powerless and enjoying the ultimate gravy train or working round-the-clock to make the world a better place? He is shadowing MEPs from all the British parties with the hope of finding the answer. Follow his progress via regular despatches on this page: |
| Tuesday 10.45pm | |
| What is it with MEPs and Strasbourg? I've just had a bite to eat with Alyn Smith, one of the SNP's two MEPs, in the Meadow bar, a canteen area for staff with a bilious green carpet that is meant to represent an English meadow. | |
| He neatly sums up the attitude of all the British MEPs I have met: "Pretty much all of the MEPs are united in that they don't want to come to Strasbourg at all," he says. | |
| "It costs 200m odd euro a year. It's bad for carbon emissions. We just don't want to be in Strasbourg. We've got a perfectly good hemicycle building that's sitting in Brussels that works fine and as a way of actually organising ourselves, I think at Strasbourg you actually see us at our worst." | |
| Strasbourg has symbolic value, as a town on the German border that was taken and re-taken during the Second World War and it is also the home of the European Court of Human Rights. | |
| Alyn Smith's theory is that the Parliament continues to sit here because the EU officials, who mostly live in Brussels, enjoy a trip out each month. | |
| He also has an answer to the question asked by many of you - what is the point of the EU? | |
| "The EU is the best war avoidance mechanism ever invented. It locks a number of countries that are more used to shooting at each other into constant, dull, technical negotiations." | |
| It looks like things are winding up in the chamber for the evening, so it's time to head off. I think I may be in danger of breaking the working time directive... | |
| Tuesday 10.00pm | |
| If you think the European Parliament is a minefield of strange terms and obscure groupings, try the Round Table. | |
| I had lunch earlier with members of the Shirley Late Knighters, a branch of the 41 club from the West Midlands - an association for former members of the Round Table who have surpassed its age limit. | |
| They were also on a fact-finding mission to Strasbourg, as guests of Tory MEP Malcolm Harbour. | |
| I briefly became part of the tour when I was introduced as "the man from the BBC" and then instantly put my foot in it by calling them Round Tablers. From Solihull. | |
| Apologies accepted, they turned out to be a very friendly and well-informed bunch. They got to meet MEPs from Germany and France as well as the Tory group and went away happy with what they had seen, clutching European Parliament goodie bags. All good PR for the canny Mr Harbour. | |
| Tuesday 6.15pm... Behind closed doors | Tuesday 6.15pm... Behind closed doors |
| As several correspondents have pointed out, the real work gets done in Brussels (every British MEP you speak to is fed up with the monthly trek to Strasbourg). The chamber is packed out for voting, but more sparsely populated the rest of the time. | As several correspondents have pointed out, the real work gets done in Brussels (every British MEP you speak to is fed up with the monthly trek to Strasbourg). The chamber is packed out for voting, but more sparsely populated the rest of the time. |
| There is a lot of activity going on behind closed doors, as the different party groups hammer out their differences. I've just sat in on a meeting between Lib Dem MEP Sharon Bowles and representatives of the German government. | There is a lot of activity going on behind closed doors, as the different party groups hammer out their differences. I've just sat in on a meeting between Lib Dem MEP Sharon Bowles and representatives of the German government. |
| There is a stand-off between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers over the amount of capital insurance companies should be made to hold. The Germans, despite initially backing the council's position may be shifting towards the MEPs' view. | There is a stand-off between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers over the amount of capital insurance companies should be made to hold. The Germans, despite initially backing the council's position may be shifting towards the MEPs' view. |
| They were discussing tactics ahead of trialogue - a three way discussion between MEPs, the council and the commission. These meetings can go on all day before an agreement is reached. On one occasion they even carried on talking after the lights had gone out. | They were discussing tactics ahead of trialogue - a three way discussion between MEPs, the council and the commission. These meetings can go on all day before an agreement is reached. On one occasion they even carried on talking after the lights had gone out. |
| Mrs Bowles is a former European patent lawyer and seems to relish the technically complex nature of her brief. She admits it is not stuff most of her constituents would easily understand, but it is something that is important to them, she insists, particularly in the current economic climate. | Mrs Bowles is a former European patent lawyer and seems to relish the technically complex nature of her brief. She admits it is not stuff most of her constituents would easily understand, but it is something that is important to them, she insists, particularly in the current economic climate. |
| She is a shadow rappoteur for the liberal ALDE group on the insurance company solvency issue as well as a member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. She reckons this gives her the equivalent power of a junior minister at Westminster. | She is a shadow rappoteur for the liberal ALDE group on the insurance company solvency issue as well as a member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. She reckons this gives her the equivalent power of a junior minister at Westminster. |
| Your comments, questions and suggestions | Your comments, questions and suggestions |
| Pesticides voting: It's not that complicated so, with respect, don't feed the beast by calling it so. The Commission (eg. an executive, like the government - albeit unelected but chosen by the elected governments) proposes a law (usually with the consent of the big beasts UK, France, Germany), the Parliamentary committee responsible reviews it and proposes amendments (like House of Commons Committees) and, in the end after that bingo vote, the Council of Ministers (namely in this case our Agriculture Minister and 26 others) says yes or no to the compromise hammered out by the three institutions. Commission proposes, Parliament amends, Council decides. By the way, any UK MEP will have more impact on legislation than their equivalent MP simply because they can guide a law through. Try doing that in the House of Commons.Pedro, liverpool | Pesticides voting: It's not that complicated so, with respect, don't feed the beast by calling it so. The Commission (eg. an executive, like the government - albeit unelected but chosen by the elected governments) proposes a law (usually with the consent of the big beasts UK, France, Germany), the Parliamentary committee responsible reviews it and proposes amendments (like House of Commons Committees) and, in the end after that bingo vote, the Council of Ministers (namely in this case our Agriculture Minister and 26 others) says yes or no to the compromise hammered out by the three institutions. Commission proposes, Parliament amends, Council decides. By the way, any UK MEP will have more impact on legislation than their equivalent MP simply because they can guide a law through. Try doing that in the House of Commons.Pedro, liverpool |
| When is this ridiculous junket going to end? Please someone in Europe have the guts to tell the French that Strasbourg Parliament has got to be scrapped. Brussels is bad enough but to have two Parliaments is outrageous.Brian, Haywards Heath, UK | When is this ridiculous junket going to end? Please someone in Europe have the guts to tell the French that Strasbourg Parliament has got to be scrapped. Brussels is bad enough but to have two Parliaments is outrageous.Brian, Haywards Heath, UK |
| The European Parliament building is located in the hub of European democracy, and there are no factories nearby so I don't know where the reporter saw an "industrial estate". It is next to the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Pharmacopoeia, the Alsace Regional Council and within a stone's throw of all major permanent representations and embassies. Hardly what one imagines when referring to an "industrial estate", I would think.Chloe | The European Parliament building is located in the hub of European democracy, and there are no factories nearby so I don't know where the reporter saw an "industrial estate". It is next to the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Pharmacopoeia, the Alsace Regional Council and within a stone's throw of all major permanent representations and embassies. Hardly what one imagines when referring to an "industrial estate", I would think.Chloe |
| This is a really good idea for a feature, but readers should bear in mind that to see the European Parliament at its most interesting - and where almost all its real decisions are made - you should do a parallel feature on a committee week in Brussels. It's less glamorous than a trip to Strasbourg, but it's also where you'll get to see MEPs debating legislation in depth, taking political stances, defending their constituencies and making international, cross-party alliances.Alex, Uxbridge, UK | This is a really good idea for a feature, but readers should bear in mind that to see the European Parliament at its most interesting - and where almost all its real decisions are made - you should do a parallel feature on a committee week in Brussels. It's less glamorous than a trip to Strasbourg, but it's also where you'll get to see MEPs debating legislation in depth, taking political stances, defending their constituencies and making international, cross-party alliances.Alex, Uxbridge, UK |
| Tuesday 3pm (French time)... Voting. Or Bingo? I witnessed my first voting session earlier. Very strange. The chamber was packed, with the MEPs - including Robert Kilroy-Silk making a very rare appearance, sitting in the non-aligned section with Jean Marie le Pen et al - parked behind their computer screens in semi-circular rows. | Tuesday 3pm (French time)... Voting. Or Bingo? I witnessed my first voting session earlier. Very strange. The chamber was packed, with the MEPs - including Robert Kilroy-Silk making a very rare appearance, sitting in the non-aligned section with Jean Marie le Pen et al - parked behind their computer screens in semi-circular rows. |
| The whole thing happens at breakneck speed, with the vice president of the Parliament calling out the different amendments ("vote is open, has everyone voted? vote is closed"), which flashed up on a giant screen as they scrolled through. It was like a giant bingo game - and very difficult for the uninitiated (i.e. me) to work out what was going on. | The whole thing happens at breakneck speed, with the vice president of the Parliament calling out the different amendments ("vote is open, has everyone voted? vote is closed"), which flashed up on a giant screen as they scrolled through. It was like a giant bingo game - and very difficult for the uninitiated (i.e. me) to work out what was going on. |
| The Conservatives lost their attempt to limit the extent of a ban on pesticides. But that was expected. The voting process is, as Conservative MEP Malcolm Harbour said to me earlier, really just a piece of political theatre. The real decisions are made in the group meetings and committees in Brussels. | The Conservatives lost their attempt to limit the extent of a ban on pesticides. But that was expected. The voting process is, as Conservative MEP Malcolm Harbour said to me earlier, really just a piece of political theatre. The real decisions are made in the group meetings and committees in Brussels. |
| But whatever you do, don't say the MEPs are just rubber-stamping legislation by the European Commission. That is the quickest way to upset an MEP, says Mr Harbour. They have much more input into the final shape of the legislation than they used to, although it does still originate from the Commission. | But whatever you do, don't say the MEPs are just rubber-stamping legislation by the European Commission. That is the quickest way to upset an MEP, says Mr Harbour. They have much more input into the final shape of the legislation than they used to, although it does still originate from the Commission. |
| The pesticide legislation, which will ban the use of certain toxic chemicals on farms, originated back in July 2006, when the European Commission sent an initial legislative proposal to the European Parliament for a first reading. There was then a full year of committee hearings at the Council of Ministers, with officials from the different member states, including Defra in the UK, battling it out to reach a "common position". | The pesticide legislation, which will ban the use of certain toxic chemicals on farms, originated back in July 2006, when the European Commission sent an initial legislative proposal to the European Parliament for a first reading. There was then a full year of committee hearings at the Council of Ministers, with officials from the different member states, including Defra in the UK, battling it out to reach a "common position". |
| Then it was back to the European Parliament for more wrangling between the MEPs and the ministers, before a second reading. Finally, there is more committee scrutiny by the MEPs before a common position is agreed on. | Then it was back to the European Parliament for more wrangling between the MEPs and the ministers, before a second reading. Finally, there is more committee scrutiny by the MEPs before a common position is agreed on. |
| The party groups then put down amendments and decided which way they were going to vote. A Rappoteur, in this case a German Green MEP, is in charge of steering the legislation through the European Parliament and it is they, rather than the party group leaders, who wield the real influence over legislation. | The party groups then put down amendments and decided which way they were going to vote. A Rappoteur, in this case a German Green MEP, is in charge of steering the legislation through the European Parliament and it is they, rather than the party group leaders, who wield the real influence over legislation. |
| It is a tortuous process, and although the MEPs have significant input into the final legislation, it is the Council of Ministers, which is not directly elected, who have the real power. The pesticide legislation is in the form of a directive, which means it will have to be incorporated into UK law, and that of other member states, although it is unlikely to come fully into effect until well into the next decade. I hope that's all clear... | It is a tortuous process, and although the MEPs have significant input into the final legislation, it is the Council of Ministers, which is not directly elected, who have the real power. The pesticide legislation is in the form of a directive, which means it will have to be incorporated into UK law, and that of other member states, although it is unlikely to come fully into effect until well into the next decade. I hope that's all clear... |
| Tuesday 2pm (French time)... Ode to euro controversy It is 10 years since the euro was launched. But instead of singing happy birthday, MEPs were treated to a rendition of Beethoven's Ode to Joy, Europe's official anthem. (I almost wrote national anthem - I think Strasbourg is starting to get to me. I must have a chat with someone from UKIP soon). | Tuesday 2pm (French time)... Ode to euro controversy It is 10 years since the euro was launched. But instead of singing happy birthday, MEPs were treated to a rendition of Beethoven's Ode to Joy, Europe's official anthem. (I almost wrote national anthem - I think Strasbourg is starting to get to me. I must have a chat with someone from UKIP soon). |
| It is, we are told, the first time the tune has been played during a formal sitting of the European Parliament, although it gets played all the time at ceremonial occasions, euro officianados tell me. | It is, we are told, the first time the tune has been played during a formal sitting of the European Parliament, although it gets played all the time at ceremonial occasions, euro officianados tell me. |
| Still, not everyone is filled with joy at the idea. Timothy Kirkhope, the Conservative group leader, thinks the playing of anthems in Parliament is "a bit pompous". | Still, not everyone is filled with joy at the idea. Timothy Kirkhope, the Conservative group leader, thinks the playing of anthems in Parliament is "a bit pompous". |
| "It would be like playing the national anthem in the House of Commons," he tells me. "I don't mind the European flag being flown on various occasions," he adds. | "It would be like playing the national anthem in the House of Commons," he tells me. "I don't mind the European flag being flown on various occasions," he adds. |
| Labour's MEPs take a more relaxed view. "For us it is not a big deal," says one of their team. "It is only controversial for the eurosceptics." | Labour's MEPs take a more relaxed view. "For us it is not a big deal," says one of their team. "It is only controversial for the eurosceptics." |
| But has there been an Ode to Joy stitch-up? The UK Independence Party are crying foul at the apparent last minute rescheduling of the anthem's playing. | But has there been an Ode to Joy stitch-up? The UK Independence Party are crying foul at the apparent last minute rescheduling of the anthem's playing. |
| UKIP and its friends in various other parties around Europe, including some Conservatives, were planning to sing the French national anthem, the Marseillaise, during the Beethhoven tune. | UKIP and its friends in various other parties around Europe, including some Conservatives, were planning to sing the French national anthem, the Marseillaise, during the Beethhoven tune. |
| UKIP singing the French anthem - how did that come about? "We originally planned to sing our own national anthems, but that would just be a cacophony, so we thought we are in France, it's a tune everybody knows, so let's sing that," explains a UKIPer. | UKIP singing the French anthem - how did that come about? "We originally planned to sing our own national anthems, but that would just be a cacophony, so we thought we are in France, it's a tune everybody knows, so let's sing that," explains a UKIPer. |
| But their plans were scuppered after the European Parliament authorities decided to play the anthem at 12.20pm, after most of the MEPs had disappeared for lunch after voting, rather than at the 11.15am after the debate on the euro's 10th anniversary. | But their plans were scuppered after the European Parliament authorities decided to play the anthem at 12.20pm, after most of the MEPs had disappeared for lunch after voting, rather than at the 11.15am after the debate on the euro's 10th anniversary. |
| "They were scared we would ruin it," claims the UKIP man. This place is truly a madhouse. | "They were scared we would ruin it," claims the UKIP man. This place is truly a madhouse. |
| Tuesday 1030 (French time)... Special occasion It's a special occasion this morning - the tenth anniversary of the euro. The head of the European central bank, Jean Claude-Trichet, is addressing the Parliament. | Tuesday 1030 (French time)... Special occasion It's a special occasion this morning - the tenth anniversary of the euro. The head of the European central bank, Jean Claude-Trichet, is addressing the Parliament. |
| We are told there will be some sort of event after that. Hopes are running high in the press room that there might be a cake. Or at least something to photograph. | We are told there will be some sort of event after that. Hopes are running high in the press room that there might be a cake. Or at least something to photograph. |
| The other main event this morning is the vote on pesticides. British farmers are up in arms about the plan to cut the use of some pesticides. I am spending the morning with the Conservative group, who will be voting against the pesticides plan and, I suspect, will probably not be breaking out the bubbly for the euro's birthday. Your comments, questions and suggestions If the EU was serious about saving the planet and energy they would stop this charade of moving between Brussels and Strasbourg; it is a nonsenserob, chesham, bucks | The other main event this morning is the vote on pesticides. British farmers are up in arms about the plan to cut the use of some pesticides. I am spending the morning with the Conservative group, who will be voting against the pesticides plan and, I suspect, will probably not be breaking out the bubbly for the euro's birthday. Your comments, questions and suggestions If the EU was serious about saving the planet and energy they would stop this charade of moving between Brussels and Strasbourg; it is a nonsenserob, chesham, bucks |
| I would like to correct David's (St Albans, Herts) misconceptions about EU mobility rules. Britain does not have to offer access to anyone who asks for it. That is simply not true. Only people who can find work within three months are entitled to stay and only people who have worked in Britain are entitled to benefits, just like anyone else. And the good thing is the same rules apply for UK citizens who want to work on the Continent, which might come in useful with the current economic mess in Britain. So just think about the benefits of an open and free Europe!Nicolaas, Luxemburg | I would like to correct David's (St Albans, Herts) misconceptions about EU mobility rules. Britain does not have to offer access to anyone who asks for it. That is simply not true. Only people who can find work within three months are entitled to stay and only people who have worked in Britain are entitled to benefits, just like anyone else. And the good thing is the same rules apply for UK citizens who want to work on the Continent, which might come in useful with the current economic mess in Britain. So just think about the benefits of an open and free Europe!Nicolaas, Luxemburg |
| Great idea to look into the EU Parliament. I didn't even know there were speeches, much less they were limited to a minute. Not expecting much from that middle east resolution though.Jude Kirkham, Vancouver Canada | Great idea to look into the EU Parliament. I didn't even know there were speeches, much less they were limited to a minute. Not expecting much from that middle east resolution though.Jude Kirkham, Vancouver Canada |
| Good journalism! For the hat-trick, you should do a day in the life of a Brussels Ambassador - the Permanent Representative - and of a real eurocrat/euro-Humphrey, a Commission Director General...robert, brussels, belgium | Good journalism! For the hat-trick, you should do a day in the life of a Brussels Ambassador - the Permanent Representative - and of a real eurocrat/euro-Humphrey, a Commission Director General...robert, brussels, belgium |
| How come people are not aware of what the European Union means and has meant - we live in Europe in prosperity, peace and harmony. Anyone over 40 must remember the pathetic frontier controls and the other menacing inconveniences of traveling. have we all forgotten the wars we had? Or the chaos the national governments made of their countries, especially when meddling with their currencies. Anyone keen for 16% interest on their mortgage? Or for good old protectionism, did you experience driving an Austin Marina? Stop bashing Europe, please.Jan Willem, Brussels, belgium | How come people are not aware of what the European Union means and has meant - we live in Europe in prosperity, peace and harmony. Anyone over 40 must remember the pathetic frontier controls and the other menacing inconveniences of traveling. have we all forgotten the wars we had? Or the chaos the national governments made of their countries, especially when meddling with their currencies. Anyone keen for 16% interest on their mortgage? Or for good old protectionism, did you experience driving an Austin Marina? Stop bashing Europe, please.Jan Willem, Brussels, belgium |
| What percentage of the last 20 laws that have passed into English law were formulated in the EU parliament? Knowledge of this should demonstrate the importance or no of the EU parliamentRichard, London | What percentage of the last 20 laws that have passed into English law were formulated in the EU parliament? Knowledge of this should demonstrate the importance or no of the EU parliamentRichard, London |
| Tuesday 8am (French time)... Strasbourg Euro MPs debated a planned crackdown on changes to pesticide rules (which, ironically, could devastate Brussels sprout production) until 11pm on Monday evening. | Tuesday 8am (French time)... Strasbourg Euro MPs debated a planned crackdown on changes to pesticide rules (which, ironically, could devastate Brussels sprout production) until 11pm on Monday evening. |
| As in the House of Commons the parliament was fairly sparsely populated - most MEPs don't arrive until Tuesday I'm told - but this is an issue that British farmers have concerns about and their views were highlighted by British MEPs present. | As in the House of Commons the parliament was fairly sparsely populated - most MEPs don't arrive until Tuesday I'm told - but this is an issue that British farmers have concerns about and their views were highlighted by British MEPs present. |
| The basic case is that some believe the pesticides could cause cancer and other serious health problems. British farmers' leaders - backed by Labour and Conservative MEPs - oppose the change saying the change could have a "devastating impact" on them. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs says the changes would harm food production "without noticeable benefit for human health". Confusingly the vote did not take place at the end of Monday's debate. I'm told the vote actually happens later today. | The basic case is that some believe the pesticides could cause cancer and other serious health problems. British farmers' leaders - backed by Labour and Conservative MEPs - oppose the change saying the change could have a "devastating impact" on them. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs says the changes would harm food production "without noticeable benefit for human health". Confusingly the vote did not take place at the end of Monday's debate. I'm told the vote actually happens later today. |
| I will be keeping an eye on all this - I'm told that MEPs are likely to vote in favour of the pesticides curbs - and I will endeavour to explain whether or not the vote by MEPs means that the change is definitely going to happen, or whether it is just a 'symbolic' demonstration of opinion. Read more about the pesticide vote. | I will be keeping an eye on all this - I'm told that MEPs are likely to vote in favour of the pesticides curbs - and I will endeavour to explain whether or not the vote by MEPs means that the change is definitely going to happen, or whether it is just a 'symbolic' demonstration of opinion. Read more about the pesticide vote. |
| Thanks for all your e-mails so far. On the issue of expenses, which a few of your brought up, I will try and get some answers out of the MEPs. | Thanks for all your e-mails so far. On the issue of expenses, which a few of your brought up, I will try and get some answers out of the MEPs. |
| The ones I've spoken to so far have more or less admitted the system needs to change but claim it will be tightened up after the next election. | The ones I've spoken to so far have more or less admitted the system needs to change but claim it will be tightened up after the next election. |
| Later this morning, I'm meeting Timothy Kirkhope, leader of the Tory group, which has had its own problems with expenses in recent months, so I'll ask him about that. | Later this morning, I'm meeting Timothy Kirkhope, leader of the Tory group, which has had its own problems with expenses in recent months, so I'll ask him about that. |
| Some of you wanted to know what benefit we get from the EU. Again, I'll try and get some answers on that one. | Some of you wanted to know what benefit we get from the EU. Again, I'll try and get some answers on that one. |
| Steven Crawford thought it would be a better idea to send a member of the public to Strasbourg rather than a "possibly already privileged BBC reporter". I am trying to come at this from an outsider's perspective but hopefully my experience of covering politics in the UK will mean I can ask the right questions. Keep the e-mails coming. | Steven Crawford thought it would be a better idea to send a member of the public to Strasbourg rather than a "possibly already privileged BBC reporter". I am trying to come at this from an outsider's perspective but hopefully my experience of covering politics in the UK will mean I can ask the right questions. Keep the e-mails coming. |
| Monday: 6.30pm (French time)... Strasbourg | Monday: 6.30pm (French time)... Strasbourg |
| Just had my first taste of the infamous "one minute speeches". | Just had my first taste of the infamous "one minute speeches". |
| MEPs are given precisely 60 seconds to make their point, with no comebacks or right to reply. | MEPs are given precisely 60 seconds to make their point, with no comebacks or right to reply. |
| On the strength of tonight´s half hour session, they mostly seem to be a forum for airing national grievances or reading out what amount to press releases about local issues. | On the strength of tonight´s half hour session, they mostly seem to be a forum for airing national grievances or reading out what amount to press releases about local issues. |
| Among the topics aired this evening were the unfair treatment of Hungarian interpreters, job losses at a computer factory in Ireland and GM Foods. There was also a fair amount of Turkey-bashing, including complaints about that country invading Greek airspace. | Among the topics aired this evening were the unfair treatment of Hungarian interpreters, job losses at a computer factory in Ireland and GM Foods. There was also a fair amount of Turkey-bashing, including complaints about that country invading Greek airspace. |
| And they really take the one minute thing seriously. There is an electronic screen counting down the time and anyone who goes on too long receives a ticking off from the chair. | And they really take the one minute thing seriously. There is an electronic screen counting down the time and anyone who goes on too long receives a ticking off from the chair. |
| Anyone who has sat through some of the windier contributions from MPs in the House of Commons would dream about such a device. | Anyone who has sat through some of the windier contributions from MPs in the House of Commons would dream about such a device. |
| But it does make for bizarre viewing - and does not leave a lot of room for debate. | But it does make for bizarre viewing - and does not leave a lot of room for debate. |
| Monday: 6.00pm (French time)... Strasbourg | Monday: 6.00pm (French time)... Strasbourg |
| Victory for the Greens! | Victory for the Greens! |
| Group leader Daniel Cohn-Bendit has just succeeded in getting a resolution on Gaza. After a fiery speech from the floor of the chamber (never thought I'd be writing that), MEPs voted by 105 to 86 for a resolution to be passed on the situation there. | Group leader Daniel Cohn-Bendit has just succeeded in getting a resolution on Gaza. After a fiery speech from the floor of the chamber (never thought I'd be writing that), MEPs voted by 105 to 86 for a resolution to be passed on the situation there. |
| The Parliament is due to debate the issue on Wednesday but there were no plans for a resolution to be issued. | The Parliament is due to debate the issue on Wednesday but there were no plans for a resolution to be issued. |
| The Greens want the resolution to condemn Israel and call for an immediate ceasefire on both sides, although that may be watered down by the time an agreement has been reached with the other groups - that's how it works out here. | The Greens want the resolution to condemn Israel and call for an immediate ceasefire on both sides, although that may be watered down by the time an agreement has been reached with the other groups - that's how it works out here. |
| The Socialist group wants to model any resolution on the UN's recent statement, but the Greens want to go much further, including possible trade sanctions and a halt to plans to officially upgrade the EU's relations with Israel. | The Socialist group wants to model any resolution on the UN's recent statement, but the Greens want to go much further, including possible trade sanctions and a halt to plans to officially upgrade the EU's relations with Israel. |
| Should be interesting to see who wins. | Should be interesting to see who wins. |
| Monday: 4.48pm (French time)... Strasbourg | Monday: 4.48pm (French time)... Strasbourg |
| Jean went straight into a group meeting. | Jean went straight into a group meeting. |
| The parties at Strasbourg band together into broadly sympathetic groupings, although it is not obvious to the outsider what the Greens have in common with the other members of the European Free Alliance, which include representatives of "stateless nations" such as Plaid Cymru and the SNP as well as Basque politicians. | The parties at Strasbourg band together into broadly sympathetic groupings, although it is not obvious to the outsider what the Greens have in common with the other members of the European Free Alliance, which include representatives of "stateless nations" such as Plaid Cymru and the SNP as well as Basque politicians. |
| But she did have time to give me an idiot's guide to the Parliament. It is nothing, repeat nothing, like Westminster. There is no ruling party and no opposition and nothing we would recognise as Parliamentary "debate". | But she did have time to give me an idiot's guide to the Parliament. It is nothing, repeat nothing, like Westminster. There is no ruling party and no opposition and nothing we would recognise as Parliamentary "debate". |
| MEPs of other nations are "genuinely shocked" by the behaviour of some members of the British contingent, who have been schooled in the adversarial, yah-boo ways of British politics, says Jean. | MEPs of other nations are "genuinely shocked" by the behaviour of some members of the British contingent, who have been schooled in the adversarial, yah-boo ways of British politics, says Jean. |
| It is all about compromise at Strasbourg - a dirty word at Westminster. It is sometimes difficult to tell when a decision has been made. | It is all about compromise at Strasbourg - a dirty word at Westminster. It is sometimes difficult to tell when a decision has been made. |
| But Jean is proud of the work she has done over the past 10 years, particularly in the field of human rights and immigration but worried that she will not be re-elected in June though, as the number of MEPs representing London is being cut. | But Jean is proud of the work she has done over the past 10 years, particularly in the field of human rights and immigration but worried that she will not be re-elected in June though, as the number of MEPs representing London is being cut. |
| The first plenary session, on new laws restricting the use of pesticides, kicks off shortly. In fact there goes the bell - assuming it's not a fire alarm. Time for my first dose of European democracy. | The first plenary session, on new laws restricting the use of pesticides, kicks off shortly. In fact there goes the bell - assuming it's not a fire alarm. Time for my first dose of European democracy. |
| Monday: 3.15pm (French time)... Strasbourg | Monday: 3.15pm (French time)... Strasbourg |
| I don't know what all the fuss is about. There are far worse journeys in the world than a glide through frost-covered rural France in an SNCF train and Strasbourg seems to be a charming town. | I don't know what all the fuss is about. There are far worse journeys in the world than a glide through frost-covered rural France in an SNCF train and Strasbourg seems to be a charming town. |
| The European Parliament building, in an industrial estate on the outskirts of the town, is futuristic and vast. The debates take place inside a giant dome, known as the hemicycle. The Louise Weiss building next door, where we are based, is a doughnut-shaped affair, not unlike a more modern version of the BBC´s Television Centre. | The European Parliament building, in an industrial estate on the outskirts of the town, is futuristic and vast. The debates take place inside a giant dome, known as the hemicycle. The Louise Weiss building next door, where we are based, is a doughnut-shaped affair, not unlike a more modern version of the BBC´s Television Centre. |
| But unlike that building, here there are glass lifts everywhere and expensive-looking stripped pine flooring. It's all walkways and open-plan levels inside. Miraculously, I haven´t managed to get lost yet, but it's early days. | But unlike that building, here there are glass lifts everywhere and expensive-looking stripped pine flooring. It's all walkways and open-plan levels inside. Miraculously, I haven´t managed to get lost yet, but it's early days. |
| The atmosphere is a little like the first day of a party conference, with people milling around in their hats and coats, catching up with gossip. | The atmosphere is a little like the first day of a party conference, with people milling around in their hats and coats, catching up with gossip. |
| The only difference is the variety of different languages being spoken. You enter the Parliament by walking over a dry moat, which apparently comes in handy if there is a demonstration massing outside. | The only difference is the variety of different languages being spoken. You enter the Parliament by walking over a dry moat, which apparently comes in handy if there is a demonstration massing outside. |
| Monday: 1pm (French time)... Paris Excellent journey so far. The Eurostar to Paris was packed with people heading to Strasbourg for the week and after an excellent traditional British breakfast on board I hooked up with Jean Lambert - the Green MEP whose journey I am 'living' today - in Paris. It's a crisp cold day here in the French capital - there was snow as we travelled across Northern France - and Jean suggested we walk from the Gare du Nord to Paris East where we caught the train for the second half of our journey to the European Parliament. Turned out to be a do-able walk even with the gear we are lugging. We had time for a coffee in a Paris cafe before setting off again. Jean tells me that for most of her ten years as a Euro MP she flew to Strasbourg from London City Airport, but the new faster trains had made the journey more practical now by train. Your comments, questions and suggestions | Monday: 1pm (French time)... Paris Excellent journey so far. The Eurostar to Paris was packed with people heading to Strasbourg for the week and after an excellent traditional British breakfast on board I hooked up with Jean Lambert - the Green MEP whose journey I am 'living' today - in Paris. It's a crisp cold day here in the French capital - there was snow as we travelled across Northern France - and Jean suggested we walk from the Gare du Nord to Paris East where we caught the train for the second half of our journey to the European Parliament. Turned out to be a do-able walk even with the gear we are lugging. We had time for a coffee in a Paris cafe before setting off again. Jean tells me that for most of her ten years as a Euro MP she flew to Strasbourg from London City Airport, but the new faster trains had made the journey more practical now by train. Your comments, questions and suggestions |
| "Strasbourg, the junket capital of Europe? Hardly. It's a nice enough place to live, but the weather is too cold or hot for 4 months of the year (it's been -9ºC for over a week now), the air travel connections are dreadful, and when the circus is in town, nobody else can get a hotel room for 20km in any direction. Still, if you want the address of the best couscous restaurant in town, let me know."Nick, Strasbourg, France | "Strasbourg, the junket capital of Europe? Hardly. It's a nice enough place to live, but the weather is too cold or hot for 4 months of the year (it's been -9ºC for over a week now), the air travel connections are dreadful, and when the circus is in town, nobody else can get a hotel room for 20km in any direction. Still, if you want the address of the best couscous restaurant in town, let me know."Nick, Strasbourg, France |
| "Good luck. I spent five days some years ago as a guest of a Labour member. And it is a junket! I hope you ask about MEPs expenses, how they have invested their housing allowance (paid for by the taxpaper) into an extra pension fund because there is such a large surplus and finally, you might want to find out how they fiddle their mileage allowance by travelling by car (shared) while claiming train or plane fares. The list is endless." Martin, Rayleigh | "Good luck. I spent five days some years ago as a guest of a Labour member. And it is a junket! I hope you ask about MEPs expenses, how they have invested their housing allowance (paid for by the taxpaper) into an extra pension fund because there is such a large surplus and finally, you might want to find out how they fiddle their mileage allowance by travelling by car (shared) while claiming train or plane fares. The list is endless." Martin, Rayleigh |
| "What I'd really like to know is what actual benefit we get from membership to the EU. We have to offer access to anyone who asks for it, pay them benefits, house them and any children they might choose to have, give them free NHS care and what do we get in return? Absolutely nothing except woeful rubbish collection, unnecessary recycling targets and more tax?"David, St Albans, Herts | "What I'd really like to know is what actual benefit we get from membership to the EU. We have to offer access to anyone who asks for it, pay them benefits, house them and any children they might choose to have, give them free NHS care and what do we get in return? Absolutely nothing except woeful rubbish collection, unnecessary recycling targets and more tax?"David, St Albans, Herts |
| "I don't know who came up with this idea but surely its long overdue. Not only do most people not know what the MEPs do, most people do not know what the EU does - apart from the straight banana tabloid stories. All it leads to is the feeling that the UK government is giving away control of the country to unelected, unrepresentative bureaucrats who know nothing about this country and as a result most people feel we would be better off out of it. We might ask why political parties seem to have no interest in changing that perception. Isn't it time we, the people, understood the whole thing instead of looking down our noses at it in that 'not invented here' way? Best of luck..."Rod, Newhaven, UK | "I don't know who came up with this idea but surely its long overdue. Not only do most people not know what the MEPs do, most people do not know what the EU does - apart from the straight banana tabloid stories. All it leads to is the feeling that the UK government is giving away control of the country to unelected, unrepresentative bureaucrats who know nothing about this country and as a result most people feel we would be better off out of it. We might ask why political parties seem to have no interest in changing that perception. Isn't it time we, the people, understood the whole thing instead of looking down our noses at it in that 'not invented here' way? Best of luck..."Rod, Newhaven, UK |
| Monday: 6.45am... St Pancras station | Monday: 6.45am... St Pancras station |
| Lesson one: you need a decent alarm clock to represent people in the European Parliament. Luckily mine did its job and I managed to hook up with the Green Member of the European Parliament, Jean Lambert before the Eurostar left London. Glad to see it's not as cold a start as over the past few days. This journey to Strasbourg takes forever - seven hours or so, including the transfer across Paris. The only hitch so far was the ticket machine deciding not print to print Jean's ticket. We had a quick chat before getting on the train. Jean expects the situation in the Middle East to dominate the week in Strasbourg. We'll meet up again in Paris - like most MEPs, she will be travelling business class, while I will be in standard class. At least the Greens were happy for me to travel out to Strasbourg with one of their MEPs. Some of the larger parties we approached were sniffy about the idea. They said they didn't want it to look like they were on some kind of junket. Perish the thought... Sunday: 10pm... London: Why am I doing this? | Lesson one: you need a decent alarm clock to represent people in the European Parliament. Luckily mine did its job and I managed to hook up with the Green Member of the European Parliament, Jean Lambert before the Eurostar left London. Glad to see it's not as cold a start as over the past few days. This journey to Strasbourg takes forever - seven hours or so, including the transfer across Paris. The only hitch so far was the ticket machine deciding not print to print Jean's ticket. We had a quick chat before getting on the train. Jean expects the situation in the Middle East to dominate the week in Strasbourg. We'll meet up again in Paris - like most MEPs, she will be travelling business class, while I will be in standard class. At least the Greens were happy for me to travel out to Strasbourg with one of their MEPs. Some of the larger parties we approached were sniffy about the idea. They said they didn't want it to look like they were on some kind of junket. Perish the thought... Sunday: 10pm... London: Why am I doing this? |
| It is the assignment every reporter dreams of - an all expenses paid week in Strasbourg, the junket capital of Europe. Join me as I sip vintage champagne, dine in the finest restaurants the Alsace region of France has to offer, embark on pointless "fact-finding" missions to exotic locations, travelling first class, of course - and all at your expense. | It is the assignment every reporter dreams of - an all expenses paid week in Strasbourg, the junket capital of Europe. Join me as I sip vintage champagne, dine in the finest restaurants the Alsace region of France has to offer, embark on pointless "fact-finding" missions to exotic locations, travelling first class, of course - and all at your expense. |
| Of course it's not really like that. But mention Europe or the European Parliament and that is the image that comes to many people's mind in Britain. And who is to say there is not some truth in it? | Of course it's not really like that. But mention Europe or the European Parliament and that is the image that comes to many people's mind in Britain. And who is to say there is not some truth in it? |
| The fact is, beyond those people who are paid to cover it, few people in Britain really know what goes on in Brussels and Strasbourg. | The fact is, beyond those people who are paid to cover it, few people in Britain really know what goes on in Brussels and Strasbourg. |
| There are 78 British Euro MPs but most people would be hard-pressed to name one of them, with the possible exception of Robert Kilroy-Silk, let alone the ones that are paid to represent them, in their region. | There are 78 British Euro MPs but most people would be hard-pressed to name one of them, with the possible exception of Robert Kilroy-Silk, let alone the ones that are paid to represent them, in their region. |
| Most of the time people only tend to take notice of the European Parliament when there is an election on, as in June this year, or when a British MEPs is embroiled in a financial scandal, or when there is a story about crazy Eurocrats and their silly rules - the "straight banana" syndrome as exasperated MEPs call it. | Most of the time people only tend to take notice of the European Parliament when there is an election on, as in June this year, or when a British MEPs is embroiled in a financial scandal, or when there is a story about crazy Eurocrats and their silly rules - the "straight banana" syndrome as exasperated MEPs call it. |
| EUROPE BASICS The European Parliament amends, approves or rejects EU laws, together with the Council of Ministers. The process of "co-decision" - by which a law is only passed when approved by both bodies - applies in areas including consumer protection, the single market, workers' rights, asylum and immigration, the environment and animal welfare, but not foreign policy or agriculture. The parliament also shares authority over the EU budget with the Council of Ministers and supervises other EU institutions, including the Commission. It vets new commissioners, and can sack the commission en masse. Q&A: European elections | EUROPE BASICS The European Parliament amends, approves or rejects EU laws, together with the Council of Ministers. The process of "co-decision" - by which a law is only passed when approved by both bodies - applies in areas including consumer protection, the single market, workers' rights, asylum and immigration, the environment and animal welfare, but not foreign policy or agriculture. The parliament also shares authority over the EU budget with the Council of Ministers and supervises other EU institutions, including the Commission. It vets new commissioners, and can sack the commission en masse. Q&A: European elections |
| Is this lack of attention because the day-to-day workings of the European Parliament are too complicated or because the parliament and its members have no power? Whatever the reason, few could really say they know what these well-paid elected representatives actually do. | Is this lack of attention because the day-to-day workings of the European Parliament are too complicated or because the parliament and its members have no power? Whatever the reason, few could really say they know what these well-paid elected representatives actually do. |
| As a Westminster-based reporter, I am as guilty as the next person of knowing little about how these Euro MPs spend their time. But all that is about to change. | As a Westminster-based reporter, I am as guilty as the next person of knowing little about how these Euro MPs spend their time. But all that is about to change. |
| This week I am going to live like a British MEP. I will travel with them, dine with them, watch them at work and play and, hopefully find out a little bit more about what makes them tick. | This week I am going to live like a British MEP. I will travel with them, dine with them, watch them at work and play and, hopefully find out a little bit more about what makes them tick. |
| The plan is to spend time with MEPs from each of the British parties represented in the Strasbourg Parliament. That's Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the UK Independence Party, the SNP, the Greens, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Fein. | The plan is to spend time with MEPs from each of the British parties represented in the Strasbourg Parliament. That's Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the UK Independence Party, the SNP, the Greens, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Fein. |
| The MEPs themselves will, no doubt, be on their best behaviour, going out of their way to show how hard-working and diligent they are - and how unlike the popular stereotype. I do not expect to uncover any major scandals. | The MEPs themselves will, no doubt, be on their best behaviour, going out of their way to show how hard-working and diligent they are - and how unlike the popular stereotype. I do not expect to uncover any major scandals. |
| But, as an outsider to the European political scene, I do want to try and get under their skin and ask the questions they would not normally get asked. Which is where you come in. What do you want me to find out? How much do they claim in expenses? What do they consider their role is? What do they do all day? | But, as an outsider to the European political scene, I do want to try and get under their skin and ask the questions they would not normally get asked. Which is where you come in. What do you want me to find out? How much do they claim in expenses? What do they consider their role is? What do they do all day? |
| Send in your questions using the form below and I will do my best to put them to the MEPs as the week unfolds. | Send in your questions using the form below and I will do my best to put them to the MEPs as the week unfolds. |
| And join me as I clamber aboard the train for Strasbourg - the town in eastern France that the entire Parliament decamps to from Brussels each month, in one of those rituals critics of the EU, and, to be fair, the majority of MEPs, love to criticise so much. | And join me as I clamber aboard the train for Strasbourg - the town in eastern France that the entire Parliament decamps to from Brussels each month, in one of those rituals critics of the EU, and, to be fair, the majority of MEPs, love to criticise so much. |
| My companion for the journey will be Jean Lambert, of the Green Party, who has agreed to meet me at St Pancras on Monday morning for the journey to France. Wish me luck. | My companion for the journey will be Jean Lambert, of the Green Party, who has agreed to meet me at St Pancras on Monday morning for the journey to France. Wish me luck. |
| Add your comments using the form below. | Add your comments using the form below. |