Day 3 - The European Parliament

After an enjoyable breakfast the group was driven to the European Parliament building in Strasbourg. All were suitably impressed with the architecture, a beautiful combination of glass, steel, wood and slate. We agreed that it is the perfect embodiment of the lofty vision and ideals of the EU’s founding fathers.  After a thorough security search and amid rumours of a sighting of the European Parliament’s President in the lobby, we were greeted by a Parliamentary official  from  Malta called Ryan, who gave a thoroughly informative presentation on the Parliament’s past and present. He took as his starting point the low turnout levels at EP elections and went on to discuss the need to inform citizens of what goes on in the EP and about the difficulties involved. He went on to give an account of the institutional context  in which the EP operates, referring to the institutional triangle of the Parliament, Council and Commission. Explaining that the EP is a co-legislative body in the vast majority of policy areas, Ryan proceeded to offer a historical account of how the EP gradually accumulated powers over the course of its life, gradually emerging from a talking and drinking shop to a powerful legislator. The group then heard that MEPs form party groups and sit in these transnational groups in Parliament, rather than sit with their national colleagues, and about the need for politicians to compromise to achieve the parliamentary majorities needed to pass legislation. The non-legislative work of MEPs was also discussed. They regularly hold meetings with members of parliament in many non-EU states. 

We were subsequently joined by three Welsh MEPs, Kay Swinburne from the Conservatives, Derek Vaughan from Labour, and Jill Evans from Plaid Cymru. Together they offered an insight into the life of an MEP, especially regarding their work on Parliamentary committees, where most of the important work is done. They also discussed many of the issues currently facing the EP, as well as the EU more broadly, before answering questions from students.

We were then led into the hemicycle, where we were greeted with the words ‘I never thought the EU could get any worse... then I read this report’, uttered in an English accent by (we think) a Conservative MEP. This introduction was followed by a plenary voting session, during which tens divisions were held in quick fire succession on several pieces of legislation. Different voting procedures were used included roll-call votes, where all votes are recorded, show of hands votes, and electronic voting. These procedures appeared very technical and were difficult to follow in places, but enjoyable nonetheless.  Another notable aspect was the translation facilities, which were outstanding. All in all visiting the Parliament and meeting the MEPs was a thoroughly valuable experience, one that we will all treasure for years to come.