Now the Scottish, Welsh and local government elections are out of the way, the Party is starting the process of selecting our candidates for the 2009 European Parliamentary elections.  At the last Euro elections in 2005, we elected 12 MEPs in every Region of England and in Scotland, with two gains from the previous elections.  Members of the European Parliament are elected using a form of proportional representation under which the Party puts forward a list of candidates.  The number of candidates on the list is the same as the total number of MEPs to be elected for that region, ranging from 10 in the South East to three in the North East.  The list is in order, so if there are ten MEPs to be elected and we win 20% of the votes, the first and second candidates on the list will be elected.  (Actually, the number of seats each Party wins is determined by a complex formula, the d’Hondt formula, which means it is possible to win 20% of the seats with less than 20% of the votes).  Who is on the list, and the order of candidates, is determined in a full STV postal ballot of all Party members.

Party members who want to seek selection must be approved candidates.  Approval is dealt with by the English, Welsh and Scottish State Parties.  In England, candidates who are already approved to be Westminster Parliamentary candidates can become approved European Candidates by passing a Euro policy conversion interview.  Members who want to become approved candidates for the Euro elections, or approved Westminster candidates wanting to become approved Euro candidates, must apply to the English Candidates office by 25th May so the approval process can be completed in time.

The closing date for applications to be selected as candidates in England will be 2nd July (the Scottish and Welsh State parties will set their own timetables).  Each Region is setting up a Selection Committee which will interview all the applicants and determine the shortlist from whom members will choose the candidates.  The shortlist will be announced at the end of August and will be on the Party’s web site with a link to candidates’ own web sites.

In October there will be hustings in every region.  Every member will be sent a manifesto from every candidate with their ballot paper.  Candidates will also campaign by personal and phone canvassing and through web sites and emails.  As an innovation in this selection campaign, there will also be an on-line electronic hustings (to ensure you receive full details of the electronic hustings, make sure Membership Services Department has your email address).

The postal ballot of members will close on 7th November, and the selected candidates will be announced a few days later – with over eighteen months to campaign to increase the number of Lib Dem MEPs we elect in 2009

Jonathan Davies

Senior Returning Officer