Why the Euro Elections Matter

(c) dustydavidson

It hardly feels like election season, but in just four weeks we will be voting for members of the European Parliament, along with thousands of local councillors across the UK.

The 4th June will pass most people by – turnout in 2004 was just 38% and only 25% in 1999.  Many regard the European Parliament as a expensive corrupt talking shop, a view helped along by the tabloids and the actions of a minority of MEPs. But increasingly the parliament is taking decisions and making laws that impact on vital areas of our lives.

One of these is environmental issues.  Earlier this year MEPs approved laws to protect the environment from toxic chemicals and curb the growing problem of polluted groundwater. Last year they voted in favour criminal sanctions against organisations or individuals who cause damage to our local environment, and a whole swathe of regulations to protect us and and our quality of life have flowed in from Europe via the parliament, including Environmental Impact Asessments which are now are essential for any major development scheme.

European employment law is also responsible for many of the benefits we have received in the UK. In 2008 the parliament passed a law giving temporary and agency workers the same rights as full time employees after 12 weeks in post.  MEPs also famously gave us the 48 hour maximum working week (which by the way, our own government only accepted with an opt out clause).

There are many other issues such as health care, climate change, immigration, transport and crime that the parliament can vote up or knock down. Their decisions and deliberations directly affect us, so we should affect who makes those decisions.

There is also a wider issue around the elections.  They are hugely symbolic as a barometer for satisfaction with the Government, and given the current problems Gordon Brown is facing, many will be watching the fallout.  They also, through the proportional representation system, give smaller parties a chance to be represented on a national level, for example the Green Party and the UK Independence Party.  That system also gives extreme groups in the form of the British National Party a shot at representation and receiving public funding.

The European Parliament has has a bad press, some deserved, some not, but whether we like it or not it has a far-reaching influence on our lives and the worst thing we could do is not to vote.

For more information on registering to vote for the European elections please visit: www.aboutmyvote.co.uk