Profiles

Essex has representatives from all the major political parties in Brussels.  Frinton based Jeffrey Titford is part of UKIP and has been speaking about how he strongly believes the EU is wrong for Britain.

"I've always been worried about the legislation that came out, and when the opportunity came to come over here and look at it, and have members of staff here who research things for me, it's contagious," he says. 

"You find one thing leads on to another and time here is very busy indeed." 

So what's it like actually in the European Parliament?  Jeffrey describes it:

"Unlike Westminster we don't have two sides of the parliament.  Here you are all sitting in a semi circle and it ranges from political parties from left to right."

As UKIP are a Euro-sceptic party, do people take Jeffrey seriously?

"They try not to but they're always watching us," he says. "We have, on occasions, really rebelled and worn T-shirts asking for a referendum on the Lisbon treaty."

"We usually vote against all forms of legislation which is going to be put in place and run by the European Union.  There are certain issues which do effect Great Britain to a large extent and we have to vote accordingly and sometimes that is a plus vote.

"I've not looked for power, I've looked for influence, and I'm still doing that," he adds.

"If I can influence anybody into believing, as I do, that the EU is wrong for Britain, I shall have achieved my objective."