26 Oct 2010
The Electoral Commission – the independent elections watchdog - has today recommended that the extra European Parliament seat allocated to the UK under the Lisbon Treaty should go to the West Midlands region.
Following the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by all EU member states in December 2009, the UK’s allocation of seats in the European Parliament was increased by one from 72 to 73.
The UK Government directed the Commission in September 2010 to recommend which of UK’s 12 electoral regions to allocate the seat to, based on criteria laid down in legislation. The recommendation from the Commission, if implemented, would mean the West Midlands is represented by seven MEPs.
The Commission has now made its recommendation to the UK Government. The UK Parliament will make the final decision on whether to accept these proposals.
In making its recommendation, the law requires the Commission to adhere to strict statutory guidelines to ensure that each electoral region has at least three MEPs, and that the ratio of electors to MEPs is as nearly as possible the same in each electoral region. The Commission's has no scope to depart from these criteria or take into account other considerations.
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For further information
Electoral Commission press office
Office hours: 020 7271 0704
Out of office hours: 07789 920414
Notes to editors
1. The Electoral Commission is an independent body set up by the UK Parliament. Our aim is integrity and public confidence in the UK’s democratic process. We regulate party and election finance and set standards for well-run elections and are responsible for the conduct and regulations of referendums held under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (2000).
2. The European Parliament (Representation) Act 2003 requires the Government to direct the Electoral Commission to recommend how any total number of MEPs should be divided between the UK’s 12 electoral regions. These regions comprise Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and nine regions in England.
