Michael was Labour MEP for three terms and is the author of a book on UK relations with Europe since 1945 “The Semi-Detached European”

He studied at West Berlin University and has taught at Greifswald and Gottingen universities in Germany. He was vice-president of the European parliament’s trade committee and subsequently trade policy adviser to the European economic and social committee (EESC). He has often acted as an election monitor for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Michael is now coordinator of the Euro-Parliament to Campus Programme, as well as being a freelance writer and lecturer on international politics.