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Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Your MEP: hot or not?

People say that curiosity killed the cat. It's certainly capable of absorbing an incredible amount of research time.

We wanted to know which MEPs were most effective in gaining publicity. So we've done a quick back-of-the-envelope ranking based on how many times they have appeared in the press over the last 6 months (as measured by the Lexis Nexis database) and how many hits they turn up on Google.

We're certainly not claiming it's an exact science, and it's definitely not a measure of whether someone is a "good" MEP. There are probably all kinds of problems with the data, which I'm sure you will let us know about.

But anyway, with all that borne in mind it's still quite an interesting ranking. There seems to be a big publicity gap between the best and the worst performing MEPs. Top of the Pops are recently reinstated Tory Roger Helmer and anti-euro Green MEP Caroline Lucas. The Lib Dems seem to dominate the rest of the top of the chart, with the exception of Labour's Richard Corbett.

If anyone thinks they have been hard done by please do let us know, or if you think anyone has been let off lightly, the same applies...

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Syed Kamall has only been in the job for a bit so obviously won't have as many google references.

Anonymous said...

you lot have too much time on your hands

Anonymous said...

Didn't you spell Ben Dover's name wrong?

Anonymous said...

I see the Lib Dems' gift for publicity hasn't deserted them. Is their really a Tory MEP called Ben Dover?? What were his parents thinking of ...

Anonymous said...

For "their" read "there". (I'm not really illiterate.)

Anonymous said...

Mario Scaramella sends his congratulations, and wants you to see the video he made with Litvinenko listing out the known KGB penetration of the EU. Ever wondered where all the money went to from all the CAP scams and other corruption? Ever wondered why the EU is collapsing the European economy?

Ever Closer Union should be explained properly - Ever Closer Soviet Union.

Keep up the good work Roger.

the tap

Mike Wood said...

i spy strangers: maybe not really illiterate, but perhaps a little gullible. The MEP's name is Densmore; Ben Dover is a well known porn star.

Anonymous said...

Ben Dover? Mike Would. This is getting as bad as Star Wars.

Anonymous said...

Why not rank MEPs on the courage to leave their parties -professionall and socially - in favour of their duty to defend UK interests and sovereignty. Perhaps the list would be too short. Shame.

Gawain Towler said...

Of course in a way this list more reflects the interests of the press than the effectiveness or otherwise of the MEP. Mr Helmer to be true is hyperactive in writing to the Leicester Mercurey and so on, but he has also been the eye of the EPP/ED storm.
Caroline Lucas is the Beeb's favourite MEP, personable atractive and green, but represents a party that has only two MEPs and precious little popular support.
So this is a piece of fun,no doubt but reflects a different agenda

Anonymous said...

Renegade, indepedent Ulster MEP Jim Allister has done okay because of his recent opposition to DUP policy on powersharing.

He has become a fierce party critic which has given him increased profile.

Simon

Open Europe blog team said...

yup, elaib - it doesn't include broadcast which is obv a big limitation.

Anonymous said...

"Well known porn star", Mike Wood, maybe in some circles...

Mike Wood said...

clearly a sheltered upbringing

Anonymous said...

Would you like to support the idea of a PAN European Referendum on www.sotiris-koukios.blogspot.com? Crucial for Europe's future