Richard Howitt MEP

Richard Howitt is Labour's MEP for the East of England and was first elected in 1994.

As Labour's spokesperson for Foreign Affairs in the European Parliament and member of the Human Rights Sub Committee, Richard has championed enlargement of the EU and engagement with third countries based on shared values and mutual respect for human rights.

Richard takes the lead for the European Parliament on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and represents Europe in global initiatives to promote more socially and environmentally responsible business.

As a former voluntary sector worker himself, Richard continues to campaign on social, anti-discrimination and disability rights. He is proud to lead for the Socialists & Democrats Group on a new Anti-Discrimination Directive to protect people from any discrimination whether on the grounds of age, sexual orientation, belief or disability.