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EU Parliament Chief in London for Brexit Talks Amid Cries of Lack of Democracy

© Flickr / Martin SchulzEuropean Parliament President Martin Schulz
European Parliament President Martin Schulz - Sputnik International
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European Parliament President Martin Schulz pays two-day visit to the UK, September 22, having pledged, on taking office, to create "a stronger and more democratic Europe," which has manifestly failed in the wake of Brexit.

Apart from the immigration crisis in Europe, much of the anti-Brussels sentiment that led to Britain voting to leave the EU in an In-Out referendum in June 2016, was caused by a feeling that the institutions of the EU were out-of-touch with most people, remote and undemocratic.

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One taking office, Schulz promised that one of his central aims was "creating a stronger and more democratic Europe." However, turnout in EU elections in Britain has always been lower than that of the other member states' average and trust in the institutions has plummeted.

According to the latest figures from the EU's own statistical office, Eurostat — based on the percentage share of positive opinions — the index of confidence in the EU institutions across the EU is 42, down from a high of 59 in 2002 and the average trend has been downward. In the UK, confidence is only 27, never having gone above 39 in 2004 — well below the EU average.

© Photo : UK Political InfoEuropean Parliament election turnout
European Parliament election turnout - Sputnik International
European Parliament election turnout

Meanwhile, average turnout for EU elections in all member states has seen a steady decline. From an EU average of 61.99 percent in 1979, the turnout has consistently fallen to a new low of 42.61 in 2014.

In the UK, turnout 1979 — when the first direct elections to the European Parliament began — was just 32.35 percent. In 2014, it was 35.6 percent, still just a third of the UK populations who felt they wanted to vote.

Who's My MEP?

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Ahead of the last elections to the EU, in 2014, an Opinium/Observer survey found that just 11 percent of UK citizens could confidently name their MEP, against 52 percent who could name their Westminster MP and 31 percent who could name one of their local or county councilors. Only eight percent said they had made contact with an MEP, while 79 percent say they have never considered doing so. 

Schulz will have talks with UK Prime Minister Theresa May, who is well aware that many of the British public have become disengaged with the EU machine and angry at the influx of EU migrant workers, despite key industry sectors, such as health, finance and construction relying on them. Immigration was the major issue, so the freedom of movement of EU citizens post-Brexit will be a major sticking point.

​Despite which, ahead of the visit President Schulz stated:

"I will also reiterate that the four freedoms of the single market — goods, capital, services and persons — are equally important. In London I will also stress why the European Parliament favors the earliest possible triggering of Article 50, which is a pre-condition to opening negotiations."

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