West Midlands to lose an MEP

9.35.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 2nd Aug 2007

European Parliament debating chamber in Brussels

Not unsurprisingly the West Midlands is set to lose a Member of the European Parliament in 2009. The UK sees its number of MEPs reduce from 78 to 72 and the Electoral Commission has recommended the West Midlands lose one (along with London, North West England, the South West, East Midlands and probably Scotland). The reduction is a result of Bulgaria and Romania joining the European Union.

In 2004 the Conservatives won 3 seats (on 27.3%), Labour 2 seats (on 23.4%), UKIP 1 seat (on 17.5%) and the Liberal Democrats 1 seat (on 13.7%).

I expect UKIP to lose votes next time round without the Kilroy-Silk factor, which may be enough for them to lose their seat though it is possible Labour could go down to one seat or the Conservatives down to two. I expect the Liberal Democrats to retain their one seat due to the electoral system it is safer than the third Conservative seat and the second Labour seat.