AS BRITAIN prepares to take over the presidency of the European Union on January 1, The Citizen takes a look behind the scenes of the powerhouse of Euro-politics and the work of Fylde Coast MEP Mark Hendrick.

Listening intently through his head-phones, Mark Hendrick sits in seat No 348 of the European Parliament in Brussels with power at his fingertips - literally.

Euro-MPs like Mr Hendrick use a high-tech, push-button electronic system for voting, which announces the result within seconds in the packed chamber inside the spectacularly curved concrete and glass building.

The realities of daily life in the Fylde might seem far removed from the opulent new parliament building in the heart of the Belgian capital, where teams of interpreters translate the proceedings simultaneously into the 11 EU languages.

But with Europe taking an increasingly prominent role in the life of Britain, the 626-member assembly is now at the epicentre of political power.

The UK takes the six-month presidency of the EU on January 1, and the question of the single currency continues to represent the biggest fault-line in British politics.

With about 1,000 accredited journalists, it boasts the world's biggest press corps.

Britain's continental partners are pleasantly surprised that after 18 years of Tory insularity, they now have a government that is prepared to work with them.

In Brussels, Mark Hendrick votes on issues which have vital relevance to many of his 500,000 constituents in Lancashire Central, a huge constituency stretching from Blackpool to Barnoldswick.

As Labour's economic and monetary affairs spokesman in Europe, he was in the forefront of the drive to retain national characteristics - in the UK's case, the Queen's head - on the proposed single currency, the Euro.

And he also helped launch the debate on a new European fisheries policy to replace the controversial existing scheme which runs out in 2002.

Many MEPs had feared it could lead to a fishing free-for-all, further damaging ports like Fleetwood.

The European Parliament, with members representing 350 million people in 15 nations, is the only democratically-elected international institution.

Mr Hendrick provides a voice in the parliament for people in Blackpool and the Fylde.

Mr Hendrick, aged 39, has been MEP for Lancashire Central for three and a half years.

He outlined his philosophy for dealing with the problems he encounters when walking the labyrinthine corridors of power of the new £1billion parliament building.

"You have different loyalties - to your constituency, the party and your country," he said.

"You try to balance the conflicting pressures on you and come to a decision you can live with that is in the interests of the people you represent.

"You want to be able to sleep at night."

The contrast between the chambers of the European and Westminster parliaments could not be more marked.

Instead of sitting opposite one another and hurling insults, the parties prefer consensual politics, building alliances and co-operating.

With 214 members, the European Socialist Group is the biggest in the parliament, but still does not command an overall majority.

That means co-operation with other groupings - though never the small but vociferous extreme-right group representation typified by Jean-Marie le Pen of the French National Front (Mr Hendrick is Britain's first and only black MEP).

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