Proof nobody knows who their MEP is after made-up politician comes second in a poll of the best-known ones
Ukip's Nathan Gill was the most recognised Welsh representative in the European Parliament, followed by the totally made up Elwyn Davies
A MADE up person has been voted as the second most widely recognised Welsh politician in the European Parliament.
Showing just how little most people know about EU politics and those who represent them, a new study showed that the fictitious Elwyn Davies came second only to Ukip Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Nathan Gill.
A poll from the 2016 Welsh Election Study asked people to choose which were Wales' four representatives in the European Parliament.
They were given 30 seconds and a list containing the real MEPs and a number of fakes.
Mr Gill topped the poll, but the fake number two came ahead of his real-life colleagues Jill Evans, Derek Vaughan and Kay Swinburne.
Professor Roger Scully, who ran the study, said: "It's difficult to know what to say about some of these results.
"It is, I think, probably unsurprising Nathan Gill came top, given the higher profile his role in the Assembly election was giving him.
"But none of the other Welsh MEPs were selected by a greater proportion of the study respondents than that legendary figure in Welsh politics 'Elwyn Davies' - whose contributions to our national political life I feel I need not elaborate upon.
Ms Evans has been an MEP for Wales for almost 17 years, and the Conservative MEP Ms Swinburne has been in office for seven years.
15% of people got at least one name wrong, showing our MEPs are having a poor impact on the people they are supposed to represent.
Members of the European Parliament earn at least £78,000 per year to represent their area in the EU. This morning Ukip was told by the EU to pay back almost £150,000 in 'misspent funds' trying to get Nigel Farage elected.
The study also showed that people were more able to recognise their MPs and constituency Welsh Assembly members.
In the result 70% got their MP's name right from a list, and 53% got their AM correct.
"We will, of course, very likely be losing our MEPs when the UK leaves the European Union. But on these results, it seems fair to say that most of the Welsh public are unlikely to notice," Professor Scully added.
