Clive Needle

Clive Needle, (born September 22, 1956 in Romford, Essex), is a former Labour Party Member of the European Parliament (MEP), having represented Norfolk, in the United Kingdom from 1994 to 1999.

Political life

Having stood for election using the campaign slogan, “Be sharp - vote Needle!”, Needle was elected as MEP for Norfolk in 1994, defeating the three-term Conservative incumbent Paul Howell, son of Ralph Howell the then Conservative MP for Norfolk North which was in the European constituency. He stood again unsuccessfully for election in 1999 and in 2004, standing for the East of England constituency.

During his time in the European Parliament, Needle was a member of the Committee on Development and Cooperation and later the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection. He also served as vice chairman of the delegation for relations with Transcaucasus.

Life since the European Parliament

Needle is now Director & EU Policy Advisor for EuroHealthNet , a non-profit organisation working to achieve “a healthier Europe with greater equity in health between and within European countries.” He lives partly in Brussels and partly in England with his family.