It was a busy week in Strasbourg last week, and I covered on Friday my support for this organisationcalled Equal Love.

I agree with them, in a democracy gay and straight couples should be equal before the law.

Also this week the European Parliament voted through a new piece of legislation known as the European Protection Order (EPO).

It’s a very important Act which will ensure anyone who is a victim of violent crime protected if they seek to move within the EU to another member state.

So any victim who has ensured their perpetrator has been convicted in the original country will be able to ensure that it applies and is enforced wherever they move across Europe.

I hope this protects victims of all sorts of crime but especially victims of domestic violence.

I was delighted to be able to work for Seema Malhotra in the Feltham and Heston by-election on election day. Her victory on a 9.5% swing is simply a very good result for Labour, notwithstanding much Tory spinning.

I came back and read that there was little concern in European political circles about Britain’s isolation in Europe, and that the real concern was about whether the Eurozone can survive. The reality was there was little other topic of conversation in Strasbourg. My fellow Socialist MEPs especially want to see Britain remain at the heart of the European Union.

In today’s Independent on Sunday a quote from Labour MEP Peter Skinner sums up my view:

“Cameron has jeopardised our influence on upcoming legislation. He’s not  saved the City, he’s put it in greater jeopardy.”