Euro candidate selection process underway

10.19.18am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 21st Jun 2007

The Liberal Democrats have started the process of selecting candidates for the 2009 European Parliamentary elections. At the last Euro elections in 2005 the Party elected 12 MEPs overall, with seats in every Region of England and in Scotland. Here in the North West we currently have two Lib Dem MEPs, Chris Davies and Saj Karim.

Members of the European Parliament are elected using a form of proportional representation under which the party puts forward a list of candidates. The number of candidates on the list is the same as the total number of MEPs to be elected for that region, which varies from region to region.

The list is in order, so if there are ten MEPs to be elected and we win 20% of the votes, the first and second candidates on the list will be elected. Who is on the list, and the order of candidates, is determined in a postal ballot of party members using the single transferable vote (STV).

Party members who want to seek selection must be approved European candidates. The closing date for applications to be selected as candidates will be 2nd July. Each Region has set up a Selection Committee which will interview all the applicants and determine the shortlist from whom members will choose the candidates. The shortlist will be announced at the end of August and will be on the party's website with a link to candidates' own websites.

In October there will be hustings in every region. Members will be sent manifestos from the candidates with their ballot paper. Candidates will also campaign by personal and phone canvassing and through websites and emails. The candidates are given the membership list and can contact members by phone or email, as well as personal calls. As an innovation in this selection campaign, there will also be an on-line electronic hustings.

To be eligible to vote in the selection ballot, membership subscriptions must be up to date as at 1st July. Members who joined the Party recently will only be eligible to vote if they first joined on or before 2nd July 2006 and they have renewed their membership.

The postal ballot of members will close on 7th November, and the selected candidates will be announced a few days later - with over eighteen months to campaign to increase the number of Lib Dem MEPs we elect in 2009.