Richard Howitt is Labour's MEP for the Eastern region and has been serving the East of England since 1999.

As your Euro MP, I aim to be an effective voice for the East of England in Brussels. But beyond that there are improvements I want to see - to the every day lives of working people, for those who are disadvantaged or discriminated against in any way, for people around the world who face a daily struggle just to stay alive. They are things I know you care about too. I use my position, at every opportunity, to achieve change for them, on your behalf.

My priorities are:

• Bringing regional aid to help with the regeneration of our towns and countryside - working for more success now that European regional aid has been reviewed.
• Ensuring that big businesses act in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.
• Using EU powers to fight discrimination and promote equality in all fields, and to give working people rights which directly benefit their lives.
• Arguing for a fair deal for developing countries - particularly through the promotion of ethical trade.
• Standing up to defend human rights around the world, and pushing for increased European action.
• Making sure that we play a full part in the future of the European Union, including full support for enlargement to the Balkans and Turkey.

I am very proud and grateful for the opportunity to serve as your MEP. I hope you will take the opportunity to look around my website and, of course, email me with any questions and comments.

Best wishes, Richard.

Please visit Richard's website for more details on his work