Graham Watson MEP

Human Rights are indivisible - even in the fight against terrorism

Published on Wednesday 7th September 2005

Speaking in the European Parliament debate today in Strasbourg, Graham WATSON MEP, leader of the European Liberal Democrat group reminded Council and Commission that the measures being developed to counter terrorism must not undermine the basic human rights of all citizens, including suspected terrorists.

Commenting after the debate, Graham Watson said:

"Although a natural and understandable human reaction to acts of terror such as those in London on July 7th or in Madrid in March last year is to de-humanise the perpetrators and exact summary justice, this 'high-noon' approach to a serious and complex threat is inadequate and short-sighted as it risks further alienating large sections of our communities and placing the entire population under national surveillance as a result of the actions of a handful of fanatics".

"There is undeniably a strong case for increased European cooperation in the fight against terrorism but governments should first ensure that the existing 24 counter-terrorism measures are effectively implemented in all Member States. Eurojust and Europol capabilities could be more fully exploited and Europol should be brought within parliamentary oversight.

Read more: Human Rights are indivisible - even in the fight against terrorism

Terrorism and Civil Liberties

Published on Wednesday 7th September 2005

Graham Watson, on behalf of the ALDE Group. - Mr President, no civilised person could excuse the indiscriminate barbarity which claimed the lives of 52 innocent civilians on the morning of 7 July in London, a city which had only the previous day celebrated the plurality, diversity and tolerance which had won the admiration of the International Olympic Committee and helped award it the 2012 Olympic Games.

Following the terror attacks in Istanbul and Madrid, nobody can deny that terrorism today is a serious challenge for Europe. My Group welcomes the commitment of the UK Presidency and of the Commission to improve policies to strengthen security across the European Union.

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Christian heritage

Published on Monday 5th September 2005

Graham Watson, on behalf of the ALDE Group. - Madam President, I welcome the Commissioner's statement. Liberals and Democrats opposed a reference to a Christian heritage in the preamble to the Constitution because the Union also has a Jewish, a Muslim and a secular heritage. We do not oppose Article 52, which imposes an obligation on the State to maintain a dialogue with faith groups.

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"Even when the tide turned foul, Edward Heath persisted in sailing a steady course", says Graham Watson MEP

Published on Monday 18th July 2005

Following the death of former British leader Sir Edward Heath, Graham Watson, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament, paid tribute to the work Edward Heath accomplished in the course of his political life.

"I knew Ted Heath mainly through our work with the Jean Monnet Action Committee for Europe", he recalled.

"Europe was the cause which inspired a remarkable career in which he took the UK into the European Union, seizing the opportunity of an open tidal gate in British history. Even when the tide turned foul, he persisted in sailing a steady course.

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Romania must back Tariceanu on reform: says Graham Watson MEP

Published on Tuesday 12th July 2005

The Romanian Constitutional Court, dominated by members of the former regime, has blocked some of the reforms of the judiciary which are necessary for Romania to meet the requirements of EU membership. The Liberal Prime Minister, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, has indicated his intention to dissolve the Government next week and force fresh elections to confirm the will of the Romanian population to stay on track to EU membership as planned.

Graham Watson, leader of the Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament reacted to the news:

"Prime Minister Tariceanu has made a bold move in seeking to dissolve the Parliament and precipitating fresh elections for a new mandate and strengthened support for his policy of alignment with EU standards in the field of Justice and anti-corruption legislation."

"The obscurantism of the Constitutional Court has left him no choice if Romania is to join the EU on schedule as the reforms are essential to avoid the risk of the accession date being postponed.

Read more: Romania must back Tariceanu on reform: says Graham Watson MEP

"Government must solve EU budget row without cutting regional funding" - Watson

Published on Wednesday 6th July 2005

Members of the European Parliament have today defined their priorities for EU regional funding until 2013 and rejected any attempt by EU leaders to cut proposed funding levels in order to reach a compromise on the stalled EU budget talks.

In their final text, MEPs called for all attempts to reduce the budget "to be rejected most vigorously", including any attempts to renationalise all or part of EU regional policy and welcomed the current proposal for splitting up the money between different geographical areas.

The House urged the Council to take a decision on funding as soon as possible in order that European regions and Member States have an adequate period of time in which to prepare the new programmes.

Speaking after the debate yesterday, Liberal Democrat MEP, Graham Watson, urged the government to take decisive action in the Council of Ministers to get an agreement on the budget that is good for regions across the EU:

"I believe very strongly that EU funding should be available to areas in need wherever in the Union they happen to be located.

Read more: "Government must solve EU budget row without cutting regional funding" - Watson

Time for a comprehensive European Patent

Published on Wednesday 6th July 2005

The European Parliament rejected the Council Common Position on Computer Implemented Inventions today by a massive majority of 648 to 14 with 18 abstentions. It is the first time a piece of draft legislation has been rejected by Parliament in second reading.

Graham Watson MEP (UK, Lib Dem), leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (the largest of the groups which tabled an amendment to reject), called for the Commission to bring forward a proposal for a Single European Patent regime covering all sectors:

"The Commission's proposal was unclear, Council's Common Position remained ambiguous and Parliament was faced with a barrage of technical amendments pulling in all directions. The chances of achieving legal clarity and improving on the status quo were remote.

Read more: Time for a comprehensive European Patent

London wins Olympics - Watson

Published on Wednesday 6th July 2005

Liberal Democrat MEP for Gibraltar and the South West Graham Watson has said that Spain's decision to mount a legal challenge to the inclusion of Gibraltar in the franchise for European elections owes more to political spite than to any rational examination of the issue. The case has opened in the European Court today.

In 2003 Gibraltar was combined with the South West Region of England for the purposes of European elections.

Read more: London wins Olympics - Watson

Spanish Court challenge 'Political Spite' says Gibraltar MEP

Published on Tuesday 5th July 2005

Liberal Democrat MEP for Gibraltar and the South West Graham Watson has said that Spain's decision to mount a legal challenge to the inclusion of Gibraltar in the franchise for European elections owes more to political spite than to any rational examination of the issue. The case has opened in the European Court today.

In 2003 Gibraltar was combined with the South West Region of England for the purposes of European elections. This was in keeping with a judgement of the European Court of Human Rights of February 1999 against the United Kingdom which held that the exclusion of Gibraltar was in breach of the Convention of Human Rights.

Read more: Spanish Court challenge 'Political Spite' says Gibraltar MEP

Blair has six months to convince Europe that he offers a viable alternative

Published on Friday 1st July 2005

"Blair has promised a shake-up of the EU, beginning with the budget but prompting a wider debate about how it has gone about trying to protect the social model that differentiates it from the US. The liberal economic agenda combined with social justice he espouses is music to the ears of many of us who have long argued that a sustainable welfare system and efficient public services require a prosperous society to fund them." said Graham Watson (UK, Lib Dem), leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.

"Blair now has six months to convince his European partners that he offers a viable alternative model and to convince the British public that Europe can offer added value and is capable of reform if it has the right leadership.

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MEP's European Arrest Warrant law returns Quintas to UK

Published on Thursday 30th June 2005

Commenting on the delivery of murder suspect Hugo Quintas to Wiltshire police, Graham Watson, the South West and Gibraltar Liberal Democrat MEP - the person who took the European Arrest Warrant legislation through the European Parliament 2 years ago - said;

'If the Conservatives and other anti-Europeans had got their way, Hayley Richards' family would not have the satisfaction of seeing the prime suspect brought before the law. British Conservative MEPs voted against my European Arrest Warrant proposals out of knee-jerk opposition to anything European. But this cross-border co-operation between police forces and magistrates is precisely the kind of area where the EU brings added value to our citizens. Before the European Arrest Warrant law came into force there would have been no realistic chance of Hugo Quintas being brought back to face trial.

Read more: MEP's European Arrest Warrant law returns Quintas to UK

Liberals and Democrats will hold Blair to his commitments over Europe

Published on Thursday 23rd June 2005

"Liberals and Democrats take at face value Tony Blair's assurance when he said 'I believe in Europe as a political project'", said Graham Watson in Brussels this morning following a European Parliament debate on the UK Presidency priorities for the European Union.

"We have long argued for the kind of reforms that Tony Blair is now advocating that will make Europe more effective in meeting global challenges on the one hand and restoring confidence in its citizens on the other. But Britain now needs to show that it is fully part of Europe and helping to shape it as a community of values that has a modern, strong economy matched with social justice."

Graham Watson outlined 3 basic reforms that the British Prime Minister and incoming President of the EU can implement to address the alienation of European public:

Transparency of decisions made by the Council of Ministers.

Read more: Liberals and Democrats will hold Blair to his commitments over Europe

Start of UK EU Presidency

Published on Thursday 23rd June 2005

Graham Watson, on behalf of the ALDE Group. - Thank you, Mr President. Prime Minister, you take the helm of a craft lacking direction, wallowing in heavy seas. You have every opportunity to show leadership.

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End of the Luxembourg Presidency 22nd June 2005

Published on Wednesday 22nd June 2005

Graham Watson, on behalf of the ALDE Group. - Thank you, Mr President. President-in-office, if the Luxembourg presidency has failed your expectations, I hope you will not blame yourself. President-in-Office, Liberals and Democrats in this House applaud your attempts to keep the EU show on the road.

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Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe spreads to the Council of Europe

Published on Monday 20th June 2005

Today the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats spread its wings with the official launch in the Council of Europe in the presence of its chairman Mátyás Eörsi and Graham Watson, leader of the ALDE in the European Parliament.

Since its inception a year ago following the European Parliamentary elections, the new centre force in European politics has gained momentum and established itself as an unashamedly pro-European, pro-reform alliance holding to a vision of prosperity, solidarity and security in Europe.

The Liberal Democrat family now boasts 6 Prime Ministers, 7 European commissioners, 89 members of the European Parliament, 85 members in the Committee of Regions and now 95 members of the Council of Europe parliamentary assembly as well as a group in the NATO parliamentary assembly.

Europe finds itself at a crossroads following uncertainty over the future of the Constitution and a loss of confidence amongst large sections of the population.

Read more: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe spreads to the Council of Europe