The election that British citizens did not expect to take part in, to determine the MEPs who will represent them in the European Parliament, began today, Thursday, May 23rd at 7am.

The Brexit delay, which is currently anticipated to end in October, 2019, means that Britain is still taking part.

In the West Midlands there are seven seats, currently three elected as UKIP, two for Labour and two for the Conservatives.

The following candidates are standing in this year’s election:

Brexit Party: Rupert Lowe, Martin Daubney, Andrew Kerr, Vishal Khatri, Nikki Page, Laura Mann Kevehazi and Katharine Harborne.

Change UK: Stephen Dorrell, Charlotte Gath, Peter Wilding, Amrik Kandola, Joanna McKenna, Victor Odusanya and Lucinda Empson.

Conservatives: Anthea McIntyre, Daniel Dalton, Suzanne Webb, Meirion Jenkins, Alexander Phillips, Mary Noone and Ahmed Ejaz,

Greens: Ellie Chowns, Diana Toynbee, Paul Woodhead, Julian Dean, Louis Stephen, Helen Heathfield and Kefentse Dennis.

Labour: Neen Gill, Sion Simon, Julia Buckley, Ansar Ali Khan, Zarah Sultana, Samuel Hennessy and Liz Clements.

Liberal Democrats: Phil Bennion, Ade Adeyemo, Jeanie Falconer, Jenny Wilkinson, Jennifer Eileen Gray, Lee Dargue and Beverley Nielsen.

UKIP: Ernie Warrender, Paul Williams, Graham Eardley, Paul Allen, Nigel Ely, Joe Smyth and Derek Bennett.

Polling stations in Ross-on-Wye include the Bowling Club, the main hall at the Swimming Pool, the Larruperz Community Centre and The Venue. To view more polling stations visit: https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/18147/polling_stations_in_use_23_may_2019.pdf

The Ross Gazette contacted all of the parties for a statement from their candidates, however only some responded. Responses from Conservative candidate, Anthea McIntyre, Green candidates, Ellie Chowns and Diana Toynbee, and Brexit candidate, Rupert Lowe, are also on the Ross Gazette website.