Listening for Scotland
I think the most important job of an MEP is to represent the people in his constituency in the EU and make sure that the law makers hear what they are concerned about. When proposals for new EU laws are discussed, it is my job to find out how they will impact Scotland. I will then support or suggest changes to the laws and persuade other MEPs to vote with me in order to make sure Scottish citizens and businesses get a better deal.


Political Alliance
As a Conservative MEP I am an allied member of the largest political group in the Parliament - the EPP-ED (European People’s Party - European Democrats).


http://www.epp-ed.org/home/en/default.asp



Improving relations with our Arab neighbours
I am eager to strengthen ties between Europe and the Middle East, this highly important and volatile region right on our doorstep. As economic ties with Europe grow, so the significance of Europe's political role increases, providing an alternative approach from the US and the UN, encouraging the development of democracy and human rights through economic and trade partnerships/cooperation.

As a member of the European Parliamentary Delegation to the Mashreq countries, and a substitute on the one to the Gulf States, I meet regularly with visiting parliamentarians from these countries to discuss important international social, political and economic issues of mutual interest. I have also participated in parliamentary visits to these areas, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Yemen and Lebanon, and as a member of the recently-formed Delegation to Iran, I hope to soon visit that country too.

http://www.europarl.ep.ec/delegations/noneurope/default_en.htm



Committees
I am Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, which deals with the regulation of the financial services sector, economic issues, the euro, relations with the European Central Bank as well as tax and competition issues. I am also a substitute member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. We deal with matters such as the EU's research programme, the liberalisation of energy markets, nuclear and renewable energy as well as legislation which has an impact on particular business sectors, such as the biotech, chemical or pharmaceutical industries.

Economic Committee
http://www.europarl.eu.int/committees/econ_home.htm

Industry Committee
http://www.europarl.eu.int/committees/itre_home.htm

Committee of Inquiry into the collapse of the Equitable Life Assurance Society



My job as a Member of the European Parliament
MEPs spend a lot of time travelling. On average I spend one week per month in Strasbourg (France) where the Parliament holds its plenary sessions when the whole Parliament meets to debate and vote on legislation. For the other three weeks, I am in Brussels (Belgium) attending either committee meetings or political group meetings.
At the end of the week I go back home to St Andrews. I often travel across Scotland in order to meet individuals or visit schools, businesses and organisations.