We live in a world of armchair experts: amateur psychologists, sofa-based football players, and in the (slightly nerdish) world of politics, would-be Leaders. Here in the European Parliament, there is a range of figures to criticise, including party leaders, group leaders, and the President of Parliament himself. That post becomes vacant after the European Parliament elections in June. On the basis that it’s not quite cricket to carp from the back that “I could do better” I’ve taken the plunge and announced that I will be a candidate for the job.

It won’t be an easy ride. There are other candidates manoeuvring behind the scenes. But I believe that we need a proper contest of personalities – and a battle of ideas – to determine who is best placed to be the public face of Europe’s only directly-elected institution. By announcing my candidacy early I hope to draw out the other candidates and ensure that an open and transparent contest takes place.

To my mind, a good President needs two things. First, they need to show that they are hungry for job: that they will work tirelessly to enhance the Parliament’s standing: not just occasionally, but every single day.

Second, they need a vision: a clear concept of what they would use the Presidency for. We don’t need a dispassionate President – we’re talking about an elected politician, not the Queen – any more than we need one whose sole motivation for standing is to enjoy the trappings of office. The Parliament needs a Leader who has an established set of ideas that will change the institution for the better. Earlier this week I outlined five themes that would be core priorities for my Presidency: raising the Parliament’s profile; improving its public image; reconnecting with citizens; promoting transparency; and offering all MEPs a non-partisan alternative for the job. I will expand on each of these ideas as the campaign moves forward.

But I believe that the job should be outward looking too. The President should embrace the challenge of reversing the rising tide of eurosceptic opinion across EU Member States. The best way to do that is to reach across the aisle and build a coalition that supports the promotion of European values – and not just within the EU itself. There exists a far-reaching consensus among member states about many of the important challenges that we face today – safeguarding human rights, tackling climate change, thwarting cross-border crime – and an awareness that integration and cooperation allow us to rise to those challenges in a way that has been unimaginable up until now. I believe that the EU should have the self-confidence to advocate its common values and solutions outside its current borders. When citizens see that European leaders have strong principles and the will to act on them (as opposed to just talking) public confidence in the European project will rise again.

An activist President, building consensus, working with others, promoting the best of European values – now that’s a job I’d relish.