BRIAN Simpson is going back to the place he loves.

The Great Sankey resident is returning to the European Parliament to replace a retiring Labour member.

The 53-year-old starts in September and had been an MEP from 1989 to 2004.

"I am absolutely delighted," said the straight talking father-of-three. "Being there opened my eyes to what Europe could do and what we would do in the European Parliament."

Mr Simpson, who used to be a teacher in Liverpool, is originally from Golborne but has lived in Warrington for more than 20 years. He originally had an eye on a career in Westminster but has no regrets - instead of being just another backbencher, he is more involved in the deal-making world of the European Parliament.

Mr Simpson said: "You are not bound by the party whips as you are in Westminster."

The European Parliament has a poor image says Mr Simpson, but he blames this on the media and pointed to some of the good work it has done - compensation for people who cannot get on planes, rules on safer car design and CO2 limits.

He is a transport specialist and will work on opening up state-owned public transport - though he wants to see our bus industry re-regulated.

"In Manchester you have about 42 bus companies chasing one pensioner at a bus stop," said Mr Simpson. "You need contracts that say the company will deliver X, Y and Z."

And he believes, contrary to conventional wisdom, that we can teach our fellow Europeans about some areas of public transport.

"France has the wonderful TGV network, but a terrible rural network, because all the money goes to the TGV. We can learn from them, but they can learn from us about rural services," said Mr Simpson. He is happy with the current level of integration - 'I don't want to say a United States of Europe' - but wants more power for elected members of the European Parliament, and less for the bureaucrats of the European Commission.

And he thinks EU membership is vital for competing with the US and China, commenting: "If we leave we are a small fish in a big pond."

sbailey@guardiangrp.co.uk