European Parliamentary Elections 2009 for Scotland
European Parliament Elections 2009
The 2009 European Parliament elections have seen significant changes to the composition and balance of power in the European Parliament as a whole. Additionally, the total number of MEPs in the Parliament is reduced from 785 under the previous parliamentary term to 736. Scotland is among the regions which see their representation reduced as a result, going from seven to six MEPs in the new term.
At a European level, Europe’s centre-right parties made considerable gains at the polls – as did far right parties and Greens - at the expense of Socialist seats. As a result, the European People’s Party – European Democrats (EPP-ED) political group remains the largest in Parliament for the 2009 – 2014 term.
However, at a Scottish level the elections have brought little change in terms of political party representation. While the SNP made gains over Labour in the percentage of the vote won, the results translate into two seats for each of the two parties. The Scottish Conservatives have lost one seat, and now have only one representative in the European Parliament, as do the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
There is only one “new face” among Scotland’s six MEPs: George Lyon. Mr Lyon takes over the Scottish Liberal Democrat seat in the European Parliament from Elspeth Attwooll.
Members of the European Parliament from Scotland are:
Scottish National Party
Ian Hudghton
Alyn Smith
Scottish Labour
Catherine Stihler
David Martin
Scottish Liberal Democrats
George Lyon
Scottish Conservatives and Unionists
Struan Stevenson
For full results, please see the European Parliament Website
Author:
Scotland Europa
Categories:
Policy areas:
Article date:
9 Jun 2009
Expiry date of the article:
9 Jun 2014