Special working group on parliamentary reform

In 2007 the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering, set up a special working group on parliamentary reform.

[1] One of the group's key reform ideas, extra debates on topical issues, was rejected by MEPs (mainly from the centre-right) in July 2007 over fears it would disrupt committee work while attracting very few attendees.

[2] In response, ALDE leader Graham Watson MEP (member for South West England) withdrew from the group.

"[3] The final report, due to be voted on in the second week of July 2008, is being put forward by Richard Corbett MEP (PES member for Yorkshire and the Humber) who aims to gear Parliament's work towards areas where it actually has legislative powers.

The new rules would make a question inadmissible if it: fell outside the remit of the European Union, contained offensive language or related to personal matters.