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MEPs will be taking the final step towards the UK’s departure from the European Union today when they gather in Brussels to rubber stamp the Brexit deal.
The European Parliament will hold the last plenary session to feature MEPs from the UK after four decades.
The vote - due to be taken later today - is largely symbolic but will mark the moment when Brexit is signed off by the European Parliament - two days ahead of the UK’s deadline of January 31.
Among those expected to be in Brussels are many of the south east MEPs, who were elected to the European Parliament last year in an election that had not been expected.
For some South East MEPs, the vote will be a bitter-sweet moment, with even some Brexit supporting members admitting that they will miss some aspects of life in the EU.
Dan Hannan, the longest-serving of the South East’s MEPs who has spent 21 years in Parliament, said: “I’d be lying if I said I won't miss the place, because I've been here for 21 years now. Inevitably, the big events of my life took place against the backdrop of the EU - things like when my children took their first steps or said their first words.”
Plenary sessions are where the Parliament formally sits to vote on EU legislation and adopt its position on political issues.
The first direct elections to the European Parliament took place in 1979.
Before that the Parliament was composed of members appointed by and from national parliaments.
The UK returned 81 MEPs but the public’s interest in the election was low, with turnout at just over 30%. A foretaste perhaps of what was to come.
The Conservatives won 60 seats with 48% of the vote, while Labour got 17 seats and a 31% share of the vote.
The SNP won one seat in Scotland. Unlike other countries, the 78 British MEPs were elected on the first past the post system.
Listen to Political Editor, Paul Francis talk about Brexit
Over the decades, the pendulum has swung back and forth and in 1999, The Green Party made headlines when it secured a breakthrough in the election, giving it an important platform.
Perhaps the most dramatic result was just last year when after just a few months in existence, the Brexit party led by Nigel Farage, romped to victory.
