Editing Arlene McCarthy (section)

==Career before politics==
McCarthy graduated from [[South Bank Polytechnic]] (now London South Bank University) in 1983 with [[Bachelor of Arts|BA (Hons)]] proceeding to attend the [[Free University of Berlin]] and then later attending the [[University of Manchester]] to conduct [[PhD]] studies.

After completing studies McCarthy was employed as a lecturer in International Politics and Regional Studies at the Free University of Berlin, and was also employed at the [[European Parliament]] working for the Labour MEP [[Glyn Ford]].

Upon returning to Britain McCarthy worked as the Principal European Liaison Officer at [[Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council]], until her election to the European Parliament.