MEP Sheila at Perth for Europe gathering
A local MEP has been speaking to campaigners in Perth.
Perth for Europe welcomed Liberal Democrat MEP Sheila Ritchie to talk on her work at the European Parliament.
Sheila grew up in Perth, studying at Craigie Primary School and Perth Academy.
She spoke about how the European Parliament arranges its committees, its speaking time and seating arrangements, and argued it had a far more collaborative approach than the UK Parliament.
Sheila herself sits on the agriculture and rural development committee at the European Parliament, and says she has a keen interest in supporting rural communities.
Susannah Rae from Perth for Europe said: “It was interesting to learn that the European Parliament arranges its committees, speaking time and seating based on proportional representation and that they work on the basis of compromise and cohesion.
“It is a far more collaborative approach than that of the UK Parliament.
“Sheila also talked about casework. A letter from a constituent, highlighting the terrible situation of child migrants in US camps, sparked a debate in the European Parliament and led to the parliament writing to the US president to criticise this policy.
“This shows that we can influence what the European Parliament says and does.
Susannah continued: “With two thirds of the MEPs in the European Parliament new this session, the parliament has a higher proportion of MEPs concerned about the environment and climate change than previously.
“Climate change is the biggest problem facing us.”