In praise of MEPs
From Dermot Scott Sir: Your leading article (It's about democracy'. 24 April) wrongly suggests that MEPs 'do not have the direct power to reject legislation that is enjoyed by their counterparts at Westminster'. The European Parliament in fact has equal power with the Council of Ministers to decide the outcome of EU legislation in a vast range of policy areas. It does have the power to reject proposals and did so most recently on the proposed directive to liberalise port services. Indeed, an individual MEP today arguably has more power to influence the wording of any piece of legislation than does a backbench MP in Westminster.
The Commission has indeed the sole right of initiative. But none of its proposals can come into force without the support of the Council of Ministers, including British ministers, and the European Parliament, including British MEPs.
The European Parliament is open to the public, both in its committee meetings and in its full sessions. I am sure our MEPs would be delighted to face detailed questions from Jeremy Paxman, The Spectator or indeed any of the main UK media outlets on any piece of EU legislation before them. A higher media profile would increase awareness of MEPs' powers and might just contribute to a good turnout in this June's European Parliament elections.
Dermot Scott
European Parliament UK Office, London SW1
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