Members of the European Parliament for the United Kingdom 2004-2009 facts for kids

This article is about the people from the United Kingdom who were elected to be part of the European Parliament between 2004 and 2009. These elected individuals are called Members of the European Parliament, or MEPs for short. They represented the UK and its citizens in the European Parliament, which is like a big meeting place where elected representatives from different European countries work together on laws and decisions that affect everyone in Europe.

Understanding UK Members of the European Parliament

The European Parliament is an important part of the European Union. It's where elected people from all the member countries come together to discuss and vote on new laws. Think of it like a parliament for the whole of Europe!

Who are MEPs?

MEPs are Members of the European Parliament. They are chosen by citizens in their home countries through elections. Their job is to represent the people who voted for them and make sure their voices are heard in European decisions. From 2004 to 2009, the UK had its own group of MEPs working in Brussels and Strasbourg, where the European Parliament meets.

What is a Constituency?

When people vote for MEPs, they vote in different areas called constituencies. These are like electoral districts. Each constituency elects a certain number of MEPs to represent that area. For example, a person living in "London" would vote for MEPs representing the "London (European Parliament constituency)".

Political Parties and Groups

MEPs usually belong to a political party in their home country, like the Conservative Party or the Labour Party in the UK. Once they get to the European Parliament, these national parties often join larger "European Party Groups." These groups bring together MEPs from different countries who share similar ideas and goals. This helps them work together more effectively on big European issues.

UK MEPs from 2004 to 2009

Here is a list of the people who served as Members of the European Parliament for the United Kingdom during the 2004 to 2009 term. The table shows their name, the area they represented (constituency), their UK political party, and the larger European group they joined.

This table can be sorted by constituency, party or party group: click the symbol at the top of the appropriate column.

Former UK MEPs (2004-2009)

Sometimes, MEPs leave their role before their term is over. This can happen for different reasons, such as being elected to another political position or retiring. Here are some of the UK MEPs who left their positions during the 2004-2009 period.