Information Oce in Edinburgh

A day in the life of a Scottish MEP The EP is a unique example of multi-national and multi-lingual democracy at work. The elected MEPs engage in public debates and play a crucial role in shaping the laws and policies of the EU. The EP decides on EU laws that affect many aspects of daily life in : from working conditions and air quality to The European Parliament (EP) is the food safety and immigration. It also only directly-elected body of the makes decisions about how the EU’s European Union (EU). It represents £100 billion yearly budget is spent you as an EU citizen together with and has responsibility for making over 500 million inhabitants in the 28 sure it is spent properly. MEPs are EU Member States. The 751 Members elected once every five years by of the EP (MEPs) not only play a key voters right across the EU. The latest role in electing the President of the election was in May 2014; the next European Commission, they also one is planned for May 2019. share powers over the EU budget and legislation with the Council of the The UK has 73 MEPs and six of them European Union (representatives of represent Scotland. Scotland’s MEPs the EU Member State governments). are involved in the budgetary and The approval of the EP is required law-making work of the European for most international agreements Parliament, but they do much else concluded by the EU and the EP besides. By describing a ‘day in takes its role as a guardian of liberties, the life’ of each of the six Scottish human rights and democracy, both MEPs, this booklet tries to give in Europe and across the world very you a flavour of exactly what your seriously. MEPs do. 2 The European Parliament Office in Edinburgh

The European Parliament has an • produces a number of Information Office in the national information materials, many of capitals of all 28 EU Member States. which are available to order free Since 1999, it has also opened of charge smaller ‘branch’ offices in the larger Member States, in Barcelona, • responds to queries about the Edinburgh, Marseilles, Milan, Munich European Parliament to members and Wrocław. of the public and journalists as well as to a range of private, The European Parliament Office in Edinburgh aims to help increase public and voluntary sector awareness of the Parliament and the organisations impact of its activities in Scotland, • provides a number of educational as well as highlighting the work of the six Scottish Members of the resources on EU matters for European Parliament (MEPs). teachers of both primary and secondary pupils What does the European Parliament • assists and advises the European Information Office in Edinburgh do? Parliament and its United • provides information on the Kingdom Office in matters European Parliament’s work to relating to Scotland the general public • promotes public awareness of the European Parliament’s role The EP Office has three members in the drafting, adaptation and of staff and is open 9am-5:30pm, oversight of EU law and policy Monday to Thursday and 9am- • promotes contacts between the 1:30pm on Friday. European Parliament and Scottish public authorities The Office is located in the Old • informs and cooperates with Town of Edinburgh, adjacent to the civic society in Scotland at Holyrood.

Address: The Tun, 4 Jackson’s Entry, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8PJ 0131 557 78 66 [email protected] http://www.europarl.org.uk/en/edinburgh-office.html Twitter: @EP_Edinburgh 3 MEP

One thing is clear about a day in the life Committees now operate largely under of an MEP - no two days are the same! the co-decision procedure which means MEPs typically spend the working that the input of MEPs - the only directly week in Brussels, three weeks per elected part of the EU’s decision-making framework - ranks equally with the month, and have to spend one week at 28 member state governments in the a plenary session in Strasbourg twelve Council of Ministers. times per year. Additionally we have a constituency to look after. Scotland is Recently the Fisheries Committee has one constituency for the purpose of been debating the proposed prohibition electing six MEPs. on driftnet fisheries. This proposal by the Commission completely ignores the A typical working day in Brussels for principle of regionalisation which is part of the new CFP and I have been strongly me would involve a morning meeting/ demanding a re-think. briefing, such as one recently hosted by Scotland Europa. This kind of event We have frequent visitors in Brussels is a good opportunity to promote representing NGOs, trade organisations, Scotland’s SMEs in Europe and discuss local government, academic institutions effective ways for Scottish businesses to as well as individuals who wish to have their voice heard in Brussels. speak to MEPs about their views on directives and regulations being considered in the European Parliament. Committee meetings normally run from Recently I have met with the British 9:00-12:30 pm and then from 3:00-06:30 Medical Association, student groups pm. I am a member of the Fisheries from Dundee and Aberdeen, Shetland Committee and the Delegation for Fishermen’s Association and UK oil and relations with Japan. gas representatives. 4 At the end of a long day in committee In the 1999 European elections Ian meetings there will be a stack of headed the SNP list, and at each correspondence to be dealt with in the Euro-election since, members have Brussels office. voted in Ian’s favour to head the Party’s Within Scotland I travel extensively to list of candidates for the Euro-elections. meet with people and organisations Ian was elected President of the Scottish to listen to their views. I also accept, as National Party at the Party’s Annual often as possible, invitations to speak and answer questions at primary Conference in September 2005 and has schools, secondary schools and colleges since been re-elected at each successive who are studying the European Union Annual Conference. and its complex democratic processes.

In July 2014 Ian was elected Vice- Biography President of the , Ian Hudghton was first elected to the part of the 50 member Greens/EFA European Parliament in a 1998 by- Group, the 6th largest political group in election, following the death of Dr Allan the European Parliament. He currently Macartney. Ian sat alongside SNP MEP until her election to the serves on the Fisheries, and Economic Scottish Parliament in 1999. Prior to and Monetary Affairs Committee, using this Ian had served as one of Scotland’s every opportunity to highlight the four members of the EU Committee of benefits which independent nation the Regions. An active member of the SNP since joining Forfar Branch in 1967, status for Scotland would bring! Ian was elected to the SNP controlled Angus District Council in 1986, serving Contact Details eight years as Housing Convener.

8 Old Glamis Road From 1994-96 he was Depute Leader of the minority SNP administration Dundee in Tayside Regional Council. In 1996 DD3 8HP Ian became full-time Leader of Angus 01382 623 200 Council, prior to which he ran a [email protected] decorating business for over twenty years. He is married with a son and www.hudghtonmep.scot daughter. @hudghtonmepSNP 5 David Martin MEP Labour Party

My work is mainly divided between In Brussels, MEPs sit in committees committee meetings in Brussels to debate legislation. I sit on the and constituency work in Scotland. International Trade Committee, the Representing over 5 million people Human Rights Subcommittee and the throughout Scotland means I deal with Foreign Affairs Committee. I was elected as the coordinator of the International a wide variety of issues. At the European Trade Committee to coordinate the level we are working on a huge number work on trade policy by all 191 Socialist of issues which directly affect the lives and Democrat MEPs. Each committee of Scots, from strengthening workers’ meeting lasts three and half hours, with employment rights, working towards one meeting held in the morning and strong environment standards and another in the afternoon. In committee, supporting regional development to we debate and amend legislation eradicating poverty, completing the proposed by the Commission. single market and allowing people to live, work and travel freely throughout Recently I have worked on legislation Europe, and for businesses to trade to ban the export of goods from the throughout the EU. I typically spend EU to other countries where there is a three or four days a week working in risk they will be used for torture. I have also been involved in legislation on the Parliament in Brussels and the rest conflict minerals to prevent companies working in Scotland. During a typical exploiting workers to mine precious day in Scotland I meet constituents, minerals in conflict zones. In the Human trade unions, NGOs and businesses Rights Committee, I have been working from all over the country to hear their on a new tool that helps grassroots views on European legislation and human rights organisations in countries to see the projects which have been with authoritarian governments to gain supported with European funding. easier access to funding. 6 Once the relevant committee has voted He is a member of the European and accepted a proposal, a vote is taken Parliament Committees on by the whole Parliament. This occurs International Trade and Human Rights roughly once a month in Strasbourg, and a substitute on the Foreign Affairs France, where 751 MEPs, 28 member Committee. He is also a full member of states and 24 official languages come both the Delegation to the Cariforum together to debate and vote on issues and the Delegation for Relations with which affect a European population of the Countries of Southeast Asia and the over 500 million. It’s quite a sight. Days Association of Southeast Asian Nations, in Strasbourg can be long, with debates and is a substitute for the Delegation to sometimes running until midnight, but the African Caribbean and Pacific Joint it is one of the most rewarding parts of Parliamentary Assembly. He is a former my job – voting on legislation which will Regional Councillor for the Scottish have a direct and positive influence on region of Lothian, and a former leader of the Scottish people. the British Labour MEPs 1987-88. David is a Hibs supporter and a keen runner. In addition to my committee work I was recently appointed as the EU’s Chief Contact Details Election Observer for the elections in Burundi, following my previous Midlothian Innovation Centre experience as Chief Observer in Jordan Pentlandfield (2013) and Tanzania (2010). The EU is Roslin one of the most respected observers Midlothian of elections in the world. Several EU EH25 9RE institutions work constructively with 0131 440 9040 governments, opposition parties, civil [email protected] society groups and other international www.martinmep.com observers to try to ensure elections @davidmartinmep are held under transparent, peaceful, /DavidMartinMEP credible and fair conditions.

Biography

David Martin has been a Member of the European Parliament since 1984, was Vice President (1989 - 2004) and latterly Senior Vice-President of the European Parliament with special responsibility for relations with national parliaments and parliaments of constitutional Regional Assemblies (e.g. the Scottish Parliament in the UK). 7 Baroness Mobarik MEP Conservatives Party

One thing that Brussels and have and is regularly scrutinising the negotiations in common is the weather. There is always in Brussels and Strasbourg. Meetings such plenty of variety which neatly sums up as these with the British Government really my days as a Member of the European allows us to be on top of our briefs and do our Parliament for Scotland. No matter how best to represent the country’s interests in the early you start or how late you finish, there Parliament. never seems to be enough hours in a day. On this occasion my colleague and I had to MEPs spend around 3 weeks a month in leave the meeting slightly early to make votes Brussels dealing with committee work and on the Internal Market & Consumer Protection another week in Strasbourg where plenary Committee (IMCO). Before legislation can takes place. This is when we vote on all the move on to be voted on by the entire legislation which has been passed through our Parliament it firstly needs the green light in committee work in Brussels. Then, scattered committee. In the European Parliament I am a throughout the year are constituency weeks member of IMCO, the Fisheries (PECH), and the where I am able to go out and about meeting Human Rights Committees (DROI). all sorts of people and organisations - this really allows me to link my work in Scotland IMCO was a natural fit having worked all my and Brussels together. life in business and I wanted to join PECH because it is such an important sector to A typical day in Brussels will start early. Today Scotland. Human Rights is something I have started at 8am with a working breakfast for been passionate about for many years and UK Conservative MEPs at the British Embassy. I firmly believe if you have a public platform The purpose of the meeting was to receive to speak up for human rights then you should an update from the British Ambassador to the use it. EU, His Excellency Sir Tim Barrow, and Minister for the Department for Exiting the European After votes in IMCO it was straight to the Union, Lord Callanan. office to pick up with my staff. I have two parliamentary assistants in Brussels. Without is the single most important issue on them I simply would not be able to manage the agenda for UK MEPs and it will stay this the hundreds of emails I receive every day, way until we leave the European Union in meet my committee commitments and 2019. Despite MEPs not having a formal role prepare for plenary in Strasbourg. A quick in the Brexit negotiations people expect us to morning meeting allows me to catch up on be up to speed and trying our best to inform the day’s events and diary commitments. On the negotiations - in both Britain and the the agenda for the rest of today: a meeting in European Union. The European Parliament will DROI on the continuing plight of the Rohingya have a vote on the ’s exit deal people, a meeting with Fisheries Adviser, 8 Caroline Healy followed by a meeting with Commission to look at further powers for IMCO adviser, Cameron Smith (a fellow Scot Scotland after the no less). referendum. The same year, she was appointed a life peer as Baroness Mobarik of Mearns in Somewhere in between I managed to grab a the County of . In the House quick sandwich! of Lords Nosheena served as a Government Following DROI where we discussed what Whip in the departments for International the European Union could be doing about Trade, International Development, Business, the ongoing atrocities against the Rohingya Energy & Industrial Strategy, and Devolved people in Myanmar I had a much more Administrations. She made her maiden encouraging meeting with Caroline on speech to the in a debate on fisheries. Caroline has been following a new the Modern Slavery Bill. plan for the management of fish stocks in the North Sea and was updating me on its Nosheena entered politics in after a long legislative process which is soon coming to an career in business. In 1997, she and her end. We are working hard for a good outcome for Scottish fishermen. Then I met with husband, Dr Iqbal Mobarik, set up M Computer Cameron to discuss the speech I would be Technologies, an IT and business solution giving later on in the afternoon on the Digital company. Nosheena’s strong sense of public Gateway File I am following on behalf of my service led her to be elected to the Council political group – the European Conservatives of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) & Reformists. for 12 years, before being invited to become Chairman of CBI Scotland (2011–2013) and This evening I had the opportunity to meet Vice-Chair the following year. the Ambassador of Qatar to the EU. It was an interesting evening and one of the privileges Her links with Pakistan have always been of being a politician is the chance to meet so many fascinating people. We discussed strong. In 2008, Nosheena founded the current events in the Middle East. Scotland Pakistan Network to foster greater understanding and links between the two All in all it has been a productive day. I am now countries. She was then asked in 2012 by the at home and ready to switch off to do it all British Government to serve as the Chairman again tomorrow. of the Pakistan Britain Trade & Investment Forum and also appointed as the UK Pakistan It you ever wish to get in touch about Trade Champion by the then Prime Minister, anything at all I would delighted to David Cameron. hear from you. Please email me at [email protected]. In her spare time, Nosheena enjoys spending Biography time with her family, cooking for friends, reading and painting. She lives in Glasgow Born in Pakistan in 1957, Nosheena Mobarik with her husband. grew up in Glasgow where she studied Economic and Social History at the University Contact Details of Strathclyde. In 2017, she became MEP for Scotland in the European Parliament where Suite 26-27, Spiersbridge House Spiersbridge she currently serves on the Internal Market Business Park, Spiersbridge Way Thornliebank, (IMCO), Fisheries (PECH), and Human Rights Committees (DROI). Glasgow G46 8NG 0141 212 6270 Prior to joining the European Parliament, she [email protected] was invited in 2014 to be a board member of the www.nosheenamobarik.com Better Together Campaign and the Strathclyde @NosheenaMobarik 9 MEP Scottish National Party

I’m writing this from the back of a As Scotland’s representative on the car in Jaffa, squeezed in between my European Parliament’s Agriculture group colleagues on this fact-finding Committee, I take every opportunity mission for the European Parliament. I can to meet with farmers so I can The peace process is at a deadlock and do them justice in Parliament. When the EU is trying to mediate, so this isn’t Commissioner Hogan asked MEPs for your ordinary delegation. Gingerly suggestions and comments on CAP simplification, I made sure to open the opening a page of the diary at random, floor to Scotland’s farmers by asking I can see that on Monday I took a 6 them to email me with their points of a.m. flight to Brussels to meet with the view so I could represent them in front Cairo Institute for Human Rights, vote of the European Commission. on EU-Russian relations and speak at a debate on ‘The EU and UK Elections’. Yes, it’s tiring living out of a suitcase but By Friday I was back in Scotland for a it’s worth it when legislation I’ve pushed spot on the BBC Big Debate, and an for succeeds. For example, conflict afternoon of meetings with Scottish minerals are mined in conditions of organisations. I’m sure my colleagues extreme exploitation and slavery, yet will agree that there is no ‘standard’ found in common household goods day in the life of an MEP. like mobile phones and tin cans. Instead of the proposed ‘voluntary’ system, I’m very fortunate to have Scotland as Parliament voted for the mandatory system that I’ve supported since 2014. a permanent base; meeting people Thousands of constituents got in touch from different organisations and to ask me to represent them by taking a sectors allows me to not only see stand against conflict minerals. Despite some spectacular parts of Scotland, the incredibly tight margins, we won, but also provides me with a better and it’s just one more example of how, understanding of the issues affecting by working within the EU, Scotland some of Scotland’s most important played a part in a huge victory that we trades. couldn’t have achieved on our own. 10 Biography

Born in Glasgow in 1973, Alyn grew up Outside of Parliament, Alyn is an unpaid in Scotland and Saudi Arabia, returning Director of Turning Point Scotland, to Scotland in 1986. He studied Law a charity in Scotland dealing with and European Law at Leeds University mental health, homelessness and drug/ and spent an Erasmus year studying at alcohol abuse. He is also a Director of Heidelberg in Germany. He graduated LGBT Youth Scotland, Honorary Vice from Nottingham Law School in 1996. President of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Alyn also gained a Masters degree in and an Honorary Member of the British European Studies from the College Veterinary Association. of Europe in Warsaw. After a year teaching English in India and working Contact Details with Scotland Europa in Brussels, Alyn moved to London where he qualified P O Box 6469 as a lawyer with commercial law firm Wick Clifford Chance. In 2000 Alyn moved KW1 9AE back to Scotland working first for a legal 0131 290 2149 firm in Edinburgh and from 2002 for [email protected] MSP then the SNP @AlynSmithMEP Group at Holyrood as an adviser on www.alynsmith.eu European, Justice and Business policies. Elected to the European Parliament for the first time in 2004 and re-elected in both 2009 and 2014 election, Alyn is Honorary President of Young Scots for Independence and a member of the SNP’s National Executive Committee.

In Parliament, he is a full member of the Committee for Foreign Affairs, and Scotland’s only voice on the Agriculture Committee. He is a full member of both the Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula, and the Delegation for relations with Iraq. 11 Catherine Stihler MEP Labour Party

At the risk of sounding cliché, there is leave the Parliament until after 10pm. no such thing as a typical day in the It is in Strasbourg that we vote as a life of an MEP. Parliament on legislation, one of the most important aspects of our work. Each day comes with its own priorities As whip for the UK Labour delegation, and individual challenges. Being a Strasbourg weeks are particularly busy politician is not a 9 to 5, Monday to Friday for me as I discuss our position on all the job. But, having been an MEP since 1999 files to be voted on with my colleagues. and with two young children, the hectic lifestyle is something I am accustomed Constituency weeks vary greatly. to. Representing the whole of Scotland means I travel a lot. I do everything from I spend either three or four days a week discussing digital skills in the Highlands in Brussels or Strasbourg and the rest of to speaking to school pupils in the the week back home in Scotland; the Borders. I also have huge amounts of structure of my day depends where I paperwork to deal with in relation am. to enquiries from constituents and During Brussels weeks, my days are a accounts for my office in Inverkeithing. combination of committee meetings, political group meetings and discussions Regardless of where I am, there is also with visitors from national governments, the matter of the several hundred NGOs, academia, campaign groups emails I receive each day. I receive so and many other organisations. The day many meeting requests that I cannot usually starts at 8am with a breakfast accept them all so work with my team meeting and ends around 10pm after to prioritise those which are of particular an event, a dinner discussion or, on relevance to Scotland. I am Vice Chair occasion, a social dinner with colleagues. of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee as well as a In Strasbourg my diary is usually at substitute member of the Economic its busiest. I am in meetings, working and Monetary Affairs Committee, both groups, giving speeches and observing of which cover issues which really debates from 8am and often do not matter to the people of Scotland. 12 The work of the European Parliament is Protection Committee and is a substitute more relevant to the people of Scotland on the Economic and Monetary Affairs than many realise. In my committees we Committee as well as EPLP whip and cover everything from the cost of using consumer spokesperson. your mobile phone abroad to safety standards for gas appliances. A major As a founding member of the Campaign priority for me this parliamentary term is for Parliamentary Reform, Catherine is to see concrete action to end the digital committed to transparent accounting divide. of expenses and employment practices, which would involve scrapping double The life of an MEP is busy and never pensions for MEPs and having European boring. My diary fills up months in Parliament sessions in Brussels only. advance and one of the best parts of my job is working together with colleagues In her role as MEP, Catherine has led from across the EU as well as concerned the campaign for bolder anti-smoking constituents, industry representatives messages on cigarette packs, alongside and national experts. promoting Scotland’s anti-smoking legislation as an example for the rest of Biography the EU.

Catherine Stihler was elected in 1999 Catherine was instrumental in winning and has proved herself as a strong and the fight for recognition of Sudden committed campaigner, innately pro- Death Syndrome by the World Health European whilst never being afraid to Organisation and helped to deliver stand up for what’s best for Scotland. Braille on pharmaceutical products. Born in Bellshill, on July 30, 1973, Catherine was educated at Coltness Catherine has special interests in High School, Wishaw and St Andrews consumer protection, economics, University, where she was awarded an education and lung disease. MA (Hons) Geography and International Relations (1996) and an MLitt in In her spare time, Catherine enjoys International Security Studies (1998). spending time with her family, yoga, movies and running. She lives in Before becoming a MEP, Catherine Dunfermline with her husband and two served as President of St Andrews sons. University Students Association (1994-1995) and worked as a Political Contact Details Researcher to then Aberdeen South MP, Anne Begg (1997-1999). PO Box 29253 Dunfermline Catherine has performed in the role KY12 2ET of Deputy Leader of the European 07715 209006 Parliamentary Labour Party (EPLP) from [email protected] 2004 to 2006 and was EPLP health www.cstihlermep.com spokesperson. Catherine is vice chair @C_Stihler_MEP of the Internal Market and Consumer CatherineStihlerMEP 13 David Coburn MEP United Kingdom Independence Party

Being an MEP is not for the faint based but also prioritise community hearted and definitely not an easy engagement and attending public task but also extremely rewarding. events meeting with constituents from all walks of life such as farmers, It is usually a very early Monday businessmen and talking about how morning start for me at around 5am to make my way to Brussels or the EU affects their lives and how I as Strasbourg by train or plane from my their MEP can assist with any issues home in Scotland. they may have.

Sitting on the fisheries committee I like to make the most of any free and also the committee for Industry time available and enjoy exploring and Research entails regular the various cities in which I find meetings on each scrutinising myself, the life of an MEP is certainly legislation and trying to secure a well travelled and fulfilling. better deal for Scottish Industry and Fishing. Biography Out with committees I sit in the Parliament’s chamber where as David was born in Glasgow in 1959. a member of the only openly He attended the Royal High School Eurosceptic Group in the Plenary in Glasgow before being accepted where my colleagues and I hold to into Leeds University where he account and oppose the unelected studied Law. After leaving University Commission doing our best to he served for a number of years in prioritise the interests of British people and the United Kingdom. the Territorial Army while at the same time he worked as an art dealer and In Scotland I have a full time office city trader in the City of London in central Edinburgh where I am before his move into politics. 14 David was elected to the European Parliament in 2014 becoming the first UKIP politician to be directly elected in Scotland. He is a member of UKIP’s National executive Committee and the party’s Leader in Scotland.

He lives in Fife with his partner.

Contact Details

1 St. Colme Street Edinburgh EH3 6AA 0131 220 8289 @DavidCoburnUKip

15 Emergency number 112 is operational in all EU countries. You may call 112 from any phone without dialing an area code.

Address: The Tun, 4 Jackson’s Entry, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8PJ

0131 557 78 66 [email protected] http://www.europarl.org.uk /en/edinburgh-office.html Twitter: @EP_Edinburgh