Analysis of data from focus groups conducted in Oxford, Brussels and Paris in 2005-06 emphasises the unclarity of the boundaries of polity and policy, and hence who should and can be represented by whom. Our focus groups were constructed in order to enhance social homogeneity within small groups (and hence to minimise domination effects), and to enhance ethnic and political (party preference and attitude to European integration) heterogeneity. Groups are drawn from one consensual and two majoritarian political systems. The analysis presented here focusses on competence and indifference in relation to social and national frames for perceptions and constructions of representation and legitimacy. Our respondents invoke the concept of representation in n ways: first by the explicit reference to MPs and MEPs, and the quality of their representation of constituents'' interests; second by questioning the position of state governments and their representation of ''national interests'' in EU and international politics; third by questioning the representation of ''self'' as citizen and individual in symbolic and discursive articulations of the EU - in popular culture and in commonsense, in news media and journalism. Fourth, the conduct of the group discussions problematised political science representations of the EU in particular and political relationships and power in general. Most importantly, the relation between citizens and EU institutions is articulated most often in hesitation, uncertainty and absence of engagement. The significance of this negative analysis for understanding political institutions is considered.
