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 |  Local Democracy  • Government in County Durham • Regional Government Proposals • Strategic Vision • Elections • MPs • MEPs • Democracy Finder • Lord-Lieutenant • County Durham Strategic Partnership • Durham Children & Young People's Council • Investing in Children • Durham Youth Assembly • Durham Police Authority Useful Links Relevant Contacts | | MEPsWhat is an MEP?An MEP is a Member of the European Parliament. Just like councillors and MPs, they represent local people, this time within the European Parliament. They have an important say in a wide range of laws affecting people who live in the countries of the European Union (EU). They also deal with the EU budgets which support many projects in the County and have an important role in overseeing how taxpayers' money is spent by the institutions of the EU. Elections for the European Parliament are held every five years. The last elections were held in June 1999 and the next elections will be in 2004. In 1999 a new voting system was introduced which replaced parliamentary constituencies with large regions, each represented by a number of MEPs. County Durham is included within the North East region and is represented by four North East MEPs: Gordon Adam (Labour) - Member of Agricultural and Rural Development Committee Stephen Hughes (Labour) - Member of Employment and Social Affairs Committee Dr Barbara M O'Toole (Labour) - Member of Culture, Youth, Education, Media and Sport Committee Click here for the European Parliament UK Office home page, or contact UK Office of the European Parliament What is Local Government Top of Page |