Following the first direct elections to the European Parliament in 1979, Sir James Scott-Hopkins was appointed to lead the greatly-expanded Conservative Delegation. An MEP from the time of British accession, Scott-Hopkins had previously served as a Vice-President of the European Parliament, and as Deputy Chairman of the European Conservative Group. Upon the meeting of the new parliament, Scott-Hopkins assumed the Chairmanship of the newly-constituted European Democratic Group, a position he held until 1982. He subsequently remained an MEP until his retirement at the 1994 European Elections.