Liberal Democrat Euro MP reveals plan to leave Brussels

YORKSHIRE MEP Rebecca Taylor is to stand down at the next European elections after just two-and-a-half years in the role.

Ms Taylor became one of the region’s MEPs in controversial circumstances last year following the decision of Liberal Democrat predecessor Diana Wallis to resign from the European Parliament.

Ordinarily, Mrs Wallis should have been replaced by the second candidate on the party’s list at the last European elections.

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However, there were accusations of nepotism when it emerged that would mean the seat passing to Mrs Wallis’s husband, Stuart Arnold.

In the wake of the controversy, Mr Arnold decided not to take up the seat and it was passed to Ms Taylor, who was third on the list.

Ms Taylor told the Yorkshire Post: “I went into Parliament very quickly and suddenly last year.

“I had to resign a job I had only got four months previously and I am doing a part-time Masters degree in public health and I have been very lucky to have been given an extension to finish it.

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“I just decided it wasn’t quite the right time to stand again but I don’t rule it out for the future.”

The confirmation of her decision not to stand for re-election emerged as the Liberal Democrats confirmed their list of candidates for next year’s European elections.

Votes are cast in each region for parties rather than individuals in European elections. Seats won by each party, based on their share of the vote, are then given to candidates on a ranked list.

Sitting MEP Edward McMillan-Scott will be the party’s top candidate for the Yorkshire region next year with former Leeds councillor James Monaghan ranked second.

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Mr Monaghan said: “I am looking forward to working alongside Edward and the rest of the Lib Dem team over the next year.

“The Lib Dem team will be putting the fight for jobs and investment in our region at the centre of our campaign while also seeking big reforms of the European Union, so that it is fit for purpose.”

Sheffield councillor Joe Otten; Chris Foote-Wood, a former councillor in the North East; Jacquie Bell, who contested the Richmond seat at the 2005 General Election and Aqila Choudhry, chief executive of the charity People in Action, complete the list.