Tonight saw the Labour Party bolster its influence in the European Parliament, winning new seats in many of the UK’s regions, including Yorkshire and the Humber — which re-elected Richard Corbett.
UKIP managed little more than to add to the previous BNP votes to their 2009 results along with support from disgruntled Conservatives (UKIP + BNP in 2009 = 25%, + 5% disgruntled Tories = 30%).
On UKIP’s performance, Richard Corbett MEP commented:
“Despite the media hype on the ‘earthquake’ in the political landscape, UKIP have made little gain in the combined BNP and UKIP vote from 2009. In attracting discontented Conservatives, voters have punished David Cameron’s party for indecision on the future of the UK in the EU — resulting in an altogether disastrous night for the coalition parties.
“A large number of citizens in Yorkshire and Humber voted for a pro-European party, Labour. They showed continued and substantial support for Labour’s sensible position of staying in the European Union, to constructively change, improve and reform it, to safeguard UK jobs and prosperity.”
In gaining a sizeable number of new seats in the next European Parliament, Labour will now make up one of the largest parties in the crucial European Socialist and Democratic grouping. This means Labour will be able to play a crucial role in shaping, amending, approving or rejecting EU legislation and ensuring that the rules for the common market, when they are needed, protect consumers, workers and the environment.
On his re-election, Richard Corbett MEP added:
“On a personal level, I am delighted to have been re-elected to represent Yorkshire and Humber alongside Linda McAvan MEP, and I would like to thank all those who voted, supported and campaigned for us both.”
Notes to the editor
- Richard Corbett was a Labour MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber prior to losing his seat in 2009. From January 2010 until February 2014, he was an advisor to the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy. In this capacity, and as a frequent writer and commentator on European affairs, he was voted by a panel of journalists, academics, retired diplomats, and think-tankers in November 2012, as the fourth most influential Briton on EU policy, ahead of the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and Commission Vice President Baroness Ashton.
- For more information on Richard Corbett MEP, visit his website: www.richardcorbett.org.uk
Contact
Richard Corbett / +44 7711 007 329 / [email protected]
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