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		Biography Neil was elected as a Member of the European Parliament for the South West in June 1999. Along with Caroline Jackson and Giles Chichester, he is one of three Conservative MEPs representing the region. MEPs are elected under a system of proportional representation and in the 2004 elections, Neil was chosen by Conservative members to head the Party list in the south West. The Rock of Gibraltar was attached to the region in 2004 and Neil is proud to call himself 'the MEP for Gibraltar'! Local Government has featured strongly in Neil's political career and he has served as Parish, District and County Councillor in Somerset. He cut his political teeth in South Wales in 1997 when he contested Pontypool. He narrowly missed out being returned to Westminster by 24,536 votes! In December 2001, Neil was appointed Conservative spokesman on agriculture and on animal welfare. In the Parliament, Neil is the Chairman of the agriculture and rural development committee and he also sits on the fisheries committee. Neil was instrumental in setting up the year long European Parliament's public Inquiry into the Foot and Mouth Outbreak and he is also a member of the European Parliament's inquiry into the collapse of Equitable Life. Before entering politics, Neil managed the family farm in Somerset. Neil is married to Sue and they have two children, Jonathan and Harriet. In what little leisure-time is left, Neil enjoys music, and swimming