The European Parliament (Number of MEPs and Distribution between Electoral Regions) (United Kingdom and Gibraltar) Order 2008

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order amends section 1(1) of the European Parliamentary Elections Act 2002 (c.24) (“the 2002 Act”) to provide for a reduction in the number of MEPs elected for the United Kingdom from 78 to 72, implementing Article 9 of the Act annexed to the Luxembourg Treaty (Cm.6657).

This Order also amends section 1(3) of the 2002 Act to specify how the seats allocated to the United Kingdom will be distributed across the electoral regions, implementing the Electoral Commission’s recommendation made on 31 July 2007 in accordance with section 3 of the European Parliament (Representation) Act 2003 (c.7). As recommended by the Electoral Commission, the number of MEPs to be elected for each of the following electoral regions will be reduced by one: East Midlands, London, North West, South West, West Midlands, and Scotland. There is no change to the number of MEPs to be elected for the other electoral regions.

The Order does not affect the number or distribution of United Kingdom MEPs during the rest of the current term of the European Parliament.

This Order revokes the European Parliament (Number of MEPs) (United Kingdom and Gibraltar) Order 2004 (S.I.2004/1245) which makes amendments to section 1(1) and (3) of the 2002 Act that are superseded by this Order.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this Order as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.