European Parliament

How the European Parliament works

The Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are directly elected by the citizens of the member states every five years. 784 MEPs are elected in total, of which 78 represent the UK.

The Parliament examines, amends and approves new legislative proposals. Most EU legislation now needs the approval of both Parliament and the Council of Ministers before it becomes law. The President of the European Parliament is Hans-Gert Poettering of Germany.

UK MEPs do not sit together as one group but are members of European political groups e.g. the UK Labour MEPs are members of the Party of European Socialists.

How does Cancer Research UK work with MEPs?

MEPs are important because in many cases they adopt EU legislation jointly with EU Ministers (in the Council of Ministers). MEPs can also put questions to both the European Commission and the Council of Ministers on issues relating to EU policy and legislation. Cancer Research UK provides MEPs with background briefings on relevant draft legislation going through Parliament. We also work with MEPs via a series of Intergroups, which are similar to All-Party Parliamentary Groups in the UK.

MEPs represent you in Europe so if there is an issue that concerns you, bring it to their attention. The UK is split into 12 regions, each of which has a number of MEPs. They all represent you, so you can contact any or all of them with your concerns. All MEPs maintain at least two offices - one in Brussels and one in their UK constituency.

Not sure who your MEPs are?

Visit the European Parliament's website to find out.

You can link to your MEPs' personal websites from there too.