10 reasons why the Euro elections matter to you

This controversial rule book, if implemented, would increase Euro MPs’ decision-making by putting their parliament on an equal footing as lawmaker with national countries’ ministers in virtually all areas of Euro policy.

MEPs would also get a greater say over the controversial agricultural aspect of the budget and European Union (EU) citizens would also have a right to initiate European laws.

However opposition politicians in the UK are still demanding the referendum promised by Tony Blair on the European Constitution, the forerunner to Lisbon.

Tory shadow Europe minister Mark Francois told the Echo Hampshire voters would get that vote under the Tories.

The treaty cannot take effect unless all 27 EU member states ratify it. The Irish and Czechs have yet to do so.

2. Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and waste

One of the most contentious issues when Europe is mentioned. The CAP, a subsidy system, takes up nearly half the EU budget and according to the Taxpayer Alliance, a pressure group, costs UK families nearly £400 a year, with more competitive British framers getting a raw deal. UK MEPs will need to keep pushing for reform.

"Brussels bureaucrats" are also a popular target for Eurobashing over excessive costs, wastefulness and red tape. And the parliament’s army of 1,500 translators and interpreters - the largest in the world with the European Commission - is a case in point.

However Tory south east MEP Richard Ashworth, below, who sits on the parliament's budget committee, insists the degree of wastefulness is often exaggerated and claims it is often "no better or worse that government departments in the UK."

Interestingly, UKIP have signed up Marta Andreasen as their number two pick for the south east. She was the EU's top accountant who was sacked after warning £20bn of the budget was open to fraud.

3. In or out of Europe

This is the question parties such as UKIP will put at the heart of the election. They want out and a return to a free trade agreement with Europe.

Conservatives and Libertas, the party that campaigned for an Irish no vote to the Lisbon Treaty, are both highly critical of the existing structure and want to change it.

4. Cultural identity – erosion of Britishness?

Nationalism and immigration fears are set to return to the doorsteps during campaigning, particularly as the recession claims more job losses.

Gordon Brown’s British Jobs for British Workers pledge, at odds with the EU’s core aims of free movement of trade and workers, has already sparked industrial unrest.

British MEPs from all parties have called for the EU to quit trying poke into every nook and cranny of daily life; to obsess less about pint sizes and the shape of fruit and veg and focus on the most important areas such as the environment, open competition, and consumer rights.

Ditching the pound for the Euro is still off the mainstream agenda.

5. Global influence and security.

While a European army is probably only a misty eyed dream the EU is the largest trading block in the world, and the European Parliament has an important say in trade and international affairs.

Energy security, with Russia holding to taps to much of European gas supplies, and cross border counter terrorism measures are important issues for the parliament to rule on.

6. The environment

From being able to catch and keep fish from your local river, to breathing clean air, getting clear food labelling, the use of chemicals, and recent binding climate change targets – including a 20% cut in emissions and target of 20% share of renewable in the EU energy mix by 2020. They are all areas affected by decisions of the European Parliament.

According to the Greens some 90 per cent of environmental laws comes from Brussels. "It’s a very good reason for people to be concerned about what happens here," says Green South East MEP Caroline Lucas.

However such decisions can put a heavy burden on authorities back home.

The Environment Agency recently admitted most rivers in Hampshire are likely to fail EU regulations on water conditions.

7. A referendum on Gordon Brown?

The Euro elections will be first national election since Gordon Brown became prime minister in 2007. The main national parties will be keen to use it as a poll on the Labour Government, which is far easier to sell than the more abstract issue of Europe.

For the Tory's eurosceptic South East MEP Daniel Hannan, whose recent three-minute attack on Mr Brown in Strasbourg become an internet sensation with over 2.2m hits, it is the biggest reason to vote and send a message to the man he claims is "psychological incapable of listening."

8. The direction of the EU

The centre right European People’s Party (EPP) is currently the largest grouping in the parliament.

But if the Socialists, the second largest which include Labour, becomes the largest power block, it could add a greater social dimension and left wing flavour to amendments and decisions.

The Conservatives have already pledged to break away from the EPP where they sit.

They need to herd MEPs from seven countries to form a new party, which could give a powerful voice to those on the right who don’t want a politically closer Europe.

If they get it wrong they could themselves sitting as unattached individuals.

A Tory government in the UK would seek take back control over social and employment law, Mr Francois says.

9. Consumer and employment rights

Some notably wins for the European parliament have resulted in cheaper mobile phone charges abroad, with moves to do the same for data and texts.

Last year European Parliament adopted rules requiring air fares must include all charges.

However, the UK is in a bust up with the parliament over its opt-out of the 48-hour working time directives, which affects jobs such as retained firefighters and doctors.

MEPs voted to scrap it.

10. Equality for women

While equality is meant to be at the heart of the European Union, when it comes to women in politics it has a poor record. Only a third of the MEPs are woman, and just a quarter of UK’s MEPs.

Women head the list of candidates of both the Greens and the Lib Dems for the south east.

If nothing else, a vote for those parties would help to address the gender imbalance in the European Parliament.