HEREFORDSHIRE goes to the polls today in an election many thought would never happen. 

Voters across Britain and the continent will elect 751 new Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) for a five year term, and those in Britain could be out of a job within weeks (in theory at least).

Voters will choose 73 MEPs in 12 multi-member regional constituencies. Each region has a different number of MEPs based on its population.

Herefordshire is part of the West Midlands region, and returns seven MEPs.

These are the candidates standing today:

Change UK

Stephen Dorrell

Charlotte Gath

Peter Wilding

Amrik Kandola

Joanna McKenna

Victor Odusanya

Lucinda Empson

Conservative

Anthea McIntyre

Daniel Dalton

Suzanne Webb

Meirion Jenkins

Alex Phillips

Mary Noone

Ahmed Ejaz

Green

Ellie Chowns

Diana Toynbee

Paul Woodhead

Julian Dean

Louis Stephen

Helen Heathfield

Kefentse Dennis

Labour

Neena Gill

Sion Simon

Julia Buckley

Ansar Khan

Zarah Sultana

Sam Hennessy

Liz Clements

Liberal Democrats

Phil Bennion

Ade Adeyemo

Jeanie Falconer

Jenny Wilkinson

Jennifer Gray

Beverley Nielsen

Lee Dargue

The Brexit Party

Rupert Lowe

Martin Daubney

Andrew England Kerr

Vishal Khatri

Nikki Page

Laura Kevehazi

Katharine Harborne

UKIP

Ernest Valentine

Paul Williams

Graham Eardley

Paul Allen

Nigel Ely

Joe Smyth

Derek Bennett

But what do each of the parties stand for, why do they all have so many candidates and what happens after Brexit?

The system: 

These elections use a party list system, which means voters pick one party (in England, Wales and Scotland at least (it is slightly different in Northern Ireland).

A complicated formula, the d'Hondt system, then calculates the proportion of seats (there are 10 in the South East, for example) that each party should be allocated, for each of the UK's 12 constituencies. 

So, if Party A are allocated two seats and Party B eight, the top two and eight candidates on each list are respectively elected. 

This is a more proportional system, which tends to allow smaller parties a greater number of seats than the 'first past the post' system used for Westminster elections. 

Ledbury Reporter:

The parties: 

The Brexit Party

It's all in the name, really. Nigel Farage's new party want a 'no deal' Brexit, on World Trade Organisations terms, as soon as possible. 

It will be vying with UKIP for the votes of passionate leavers and is currently riding high in the poles. 

The party has not released a manifesto but says it will put out a full slate of policies after the election.

Ledbury Reporter: Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage speaks at the Corn Exchange, Edinburgh

Pic. PA

Change UK - The Independent Group

The pro-remain party is also new, being made up of current MPs who have defected from both the Conservatives and Labour.

Led by interim leader and former Tory Heidi Allen, the group has already changed its name but always been clear that it wants a second referendum - and for Britain to remain in the European Union. 

Ledbury Reporter:

With remainers seemingly moving towards the Lib Dems and Greens, the polls do not make for pretty reading for the young centrist group, but it has ruled out merging with other parties.

The Conservatives

After nine years in power in Westminster and a lot of fuss about Brexit, Britain's governing party are not expected to do well on Thursday. 

Though currently led by prime minister Theresa May, who advocates her deal with the European Union, a leadership election this summer will make the Tories' position on Europe far clearer. The party has not produced a manifesto or held a launch event, while Mrs May's deal is not expected to be agreed.

Ledbury Reporter:

Pic. PA

Tory MPs are currently hugely divided, but with the leader chosen by a Brexit-sympathising membership, the next prime minister could take a harder stance ahead of the October 31 deadline for leaving the European Union. 

The Greens

Proudly pro-remain, the environmentally-conscious Greens advocate a second referendum and remaining in the EU. 

Led jointly by Sian Berry and Jonathan Bartley, the party is pro-freedom of movement across Europe, but says it also aims to tackle the climate crisis and inequality. 

Ledbury Reporter: The Greens launched their campaign in Oxford last month. Larry Sanders, brother of US presidential hopeful Bernie, attended. Picture: Ed NixThe Greens launched their campaign in Oxford last month. Larry Sanders, brother of US presidential hopeful Bernie, attended. Picture: Ed Nix

Polls predict it could be a good election for the Greens, who face competititon from the Lib Dems for remain voters.

Labour

Jeremy Corbyn's party are in a bit of a tangle over Brexit, since its voters are split between remain and leave - and boldly backing one side would alienate much of its core vote, either way. 

Having been perceived to be unclear on its policies for a prolonged period, the party has not ruled out a second referendum on any deal, which it says should 'prioritise jobs and living standards'.

Ledbury Reporter:

Pic. Dominic Lipinksi/PA Wire

It calls no deal ' the 'worst possible deal' and backs an early election, to give it the chance to negotiate its own deal with Europe.

Liberal Democrats

Ardently pro-remain, the Lib Dems are enjoying something of a resurgence after voters punished it for propping up a coalition with the Conservatives for five years.

Ledbury Reporter:

Sir Vince Cable, who is due to stand down once Brexit is finalised, is leading a party who says every vote for it is a 'vote to stop Brexit'. 

In recent months, it has also become more vocal about concerns around the climate.

UK Independence Party (UKIP)

Following former leader Nigel Farage's defection, many have suggested UKIP has shifted further to the right. 

Though he is not a party member, far-right activist 'Tommy Robinson' (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) is advising leader Gerard Batten, who advocates a hard, 'no deal' Brexit similar to that supported by the Brexit Party. 

YouTuber and UKIP candidate Carl Benjamin has courted controversy after a rape joke made towards Labour MP Jess Phillips. 

Ledbury Reporter:

Pic. PA

Of the two leave parties, pollsters are suggesting UKIP will not fare as well.

What happens after Brexit?

These elections would not be happening if Britain had already left the European Union. 

Ledbury Reporter: Brexit flags on Botley Road, Oxford. Picture: Ed NixBrexit flags on Botley Road, Oxford. Picture: Ed Nix

If and when Britain does eventually leave, the MEPs will no longer be in post, which is perhaps ironic, because it means that a large number of those who will be elected to their new jobs actually want to get rid of them. 

The election results will not be announced until around 10pm on Sunday. Members take their seats on July 2.