Graham Watson MEP
Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament for South West England and Gibraltar
A local champion with an international reputation
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News from the Lib Dems in Government
In memoriam: viscount Willy De Clercq 1927-2011
Published on Monday 28th November 2011
De Clercq served in various coalition governments in Belgium and twice led the Flemish liberal party. He served on the European Commission from 1985 until 1989 and sat in the European Parliament from 1989 until 2007.
ELDR President Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck: "Willy promoted liberalism as no one else could. He had his own style and clear views.
Olli Rehn appointed Vice-President of the Commission.
Published on Monday 28th November 2011
The Vice President - Olli Rehn - will assist the President on all matters relating to the work of the European Council, Euro Area summits and economic governance. Vice President Rehn will also exercise the Commission's responsibilities in the external representation of the Euro area. European Liberals are confident that Commissioner Rehn will play a key role in enforcing stricter adherence to the rules by EU member states so that the policies of debt making come to an end, the Euro is safeguarded and competitiveness increased as emphasized by the ELDR bureau in September 2011. Olli Rehn is part of the three liberal vice-president of the Commission with Siim Kallas and Neelie Kroes.
Read more: Olli Rehn appointed Vice-President of the Commission.
Sir Graham Watson meets with Luxemburgish Demokratesch Partei
Published on Monday 28th November 2011
Among those attending were party leader Claude Meisch and Colette Flesch, former MEP and president of ELD (the precursor of ELDR) from 1985 to 1990 and former Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg.
After the visit, Graham said: "It was very useful indeed to be able to exchange views on the ongoing Euro crisis with my Liberal friends and colleagues in Luxembourg. I am glad to hear that the Liberals were pleased with the outcome of the local elections earlier this month and held the mayoralty of Luxembourg city."
"In my view, this series of failed or mediocre EU summits have just gone to show that 'EPP Europe' does not have the answers for Europe.
Read more: Sir Graham Watson meets with Luxemburgish Demokratesch Partei
LYMEC celebrates 35th anniversary
Published on Monday 28th November 2011
Speaking after the Congress, Graham said:
"It was a pleasure to address the 120 young Liberals gathered in Barcelona, and I am proud to see, as someone who was at the first LYMEC conference 35 years ago, that these conferences have not changed one bit!"
"But of course LYMEC has progressed and expanded hugely as an engine of young liberalism in Europe since those early days. The main topic of this conference - immigration - shows how the next generation of Liberals are ready to grapple with even the most difficult issues."
"Many of the challenges we 'older' Liberals talk of and know we have to be dealing with today such as climate change, population ageing and even the economic crisis are all very real threats for young people, more so than for us baby boomers!"
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ELDR Newsletter 9 November 2011
Published on Monday 28th November 2011
Newsletter Liberal Eyes January 2011
If this message is not displaying properly, please click here In memoriam: viscount Willy De Clercq 1927-2011
ELDR Honorary President viscount Willy De Clercq passed away on 28 October 2011. De Clercq was twice ELDR President from 1981 to 1985 and from 1990 to 1995. He served in various coalition governments in Belgium and twice led the Flemish liberals. He served on the European Commission from 1985 until 1989 and sat in the European Parliament from 1989 until 2007.