A (working) day in the life of an MEP

CHRIS DAVIES

“KEEP on Runnin’” is an old Spencer Davis song and whenever I think of Chris Davies MEP the 1960s hit rocks into my head.

As you may know, Chris, from Greenfield, is a long-distance runner - the British over-50s fell running champion, no less.

So I wasn’t surprised when arriving at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, was told he was in the gym.

He had arrived by train, having flown to Frankfurt from Manchester that morning, and was getting some exercise before a typically frantic day.

The plenary sessions in the cavernous debating chamber started at 5pm and continued until 11pm, but not all the MEPs are in the chamber at once unless there is a vote.

After his workout he worked in his office then attended two committee meetings before voting at around 7pm.

He returned to his office, where he is writing a pamphlet (unsurprisingly, taking a pop at UKIP) — before attending more votes.

These visits to the chamber — his seat number is 569 in the ALDE Group section — are important: if the MEPs don’t vote they and their employees don’t get paid.

ALDE is the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, the third-largest political force in the Parliament and the one holding the balance of power right and left.

They have their own — mini-version — of the great debating chamber for their caucus gatherings and, of course, there are the ever-present interpreters.

Chris spends his time, like all MEPs, running around meetings, spending time in the offices writing then scooting off to votes.

The chamber, when full, is a sight to behold, almost overwhelming. Whether the debates and decisions can be described similarly is another question.