This book investigates the extent to which national political parties exert influence over the legislative behavior and committee assignments of members within the European Parliament. Richard Whitaker, a scholar specializing in European legislative politics, utilizes a combination of quantitative data and institutional analysis to examine how the empowerment of the European Parliament has altered the traditional relationship between national party delegations and their representatives. The work argues that despite the increasing supranational authority of the Parliament, national party organizations remain critical actors in shaping the internal dynamics and career trajectories of members.

Experts in European studies identify this work as a rigorous empirical examination of the internal power structures of the European Parliament. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a foundational text for understanding the intersection of national party politics and supranational legislative processes.