The BBC political reporter Brian Wheeler is spending the week living the life of a Member of the European Parliament. The aim is to find out what they do and what they are for. Are they powerless and enjoying the ultimate gravy train or working round-the-clock to make the world a better place? He is shadowing MEPs from all the British parties with the hope of finding the answer.

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You can read his online diary here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7828164.stm