letter to the editor from Richard Corbett MEP |
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1 December 2007 |
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The Guardian |
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Dear Editor, Rob Rowlands ( letters, November 28th) states that Saj Karim's defection to the Tories "highlights a serious flaw" in our European representation. But the impact of Mr Karim's defection is the same as it is when politicians defect at Westminster, devolved or local level - one party gains an extra seat that it did not win at the election. At least until the following election! The point he raises about MEPs not being elected by their constituents because they are nominated by parties is nonsense. That is true for all elections! The only difference is that for Westminster elections, these are single candidates in single member constituencies, rather than the team of candidates parties field for the multi-member constituencies used for European elections. Granted, being top of the list of a party that gains a sufficient number of votes is like being a candidate in a 'safe seat' in a national election. Conversely, being last on a party's team of candidates is like standing for a 'hopeless' seat in Westminster. But in both cases parties put up candidates before the election and it is the electorate who decides. Yours, Richard Corbett Labour MEP for Yorkshire & Humber
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