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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Suspected Hayley Richards' murderer Quintas would remain at large without SW MEP's law

Published on Sunday 19th June 2005

SW MEP Graham Watson, who leads the 89-strong Liberal Democrat group in the European Parliament, today welcomed the use by Wiltshire police of the European Arrest Warrant procedure to seek the arrest of Portuguese murder suspect Hugo Quintas. Mr Watson piloted the introduction of the Arrest Warrant through the European Parliament in 2001 when he was Chairman of the Parliament's committee on Justice and Home Affairs.

"Without the European Arrest Warrant scheme it would take Wiltshire police years to arrest Hugo Quintas and bring him to trial, and the chances are he would never face justice", Graham Watson MEP pointed out.

"Under the old system, Wiltshire police would have to go to the Home Office, who would have to go to the Foreign Office, who would have to contact the Portuguese Foreign Office, who would go to their Home Office for an arrest warrant; and even then there would be no way of forcing the Portuguese police to act.

Blair now bears a heavy responsibility for Europe's future

Published on Saturday 18th June 2005

"Since neither Tony Blair not Jacques Chirac were prepared to make the concessions necessary for agreement to be reached on the future of EU financing at this weekend's summit, Tony Blair now has the responsibility under the UK Presidency of the EU to build a new consensus that will move Europe forward and avoid stagnation", said Graham Watson, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament.

"The 190th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo today should prove a salutary reminder that both Britain and France share a duty to ensure that the Europe of 25 or more Member States works together peacefully and avoids the tribal warfare of the past."

"Next Thursday (23rd June), when he addresses the European Parliament, Tony Blair must show that Britain is finally prepared to engage fully in shaping a Europe which not only meets the enormous global challenges ahead but enjoys the confidence of its citizens."

"Liberals and Democrats welcome the prospect of a more open and competitive Europe which the French no vote may have unwittingly advanced but it must be one in which Britain is prepared to both play and pay its fair part", concluded Watson.

Liberals and Democrats call for a new vision for Europe

Published on Thursday 16th June 2005

Preparing for the Brussels summit this weekend, Graham Watson addressed a meeting of 6 Prime Ministers and 6 commissioners belonging to the Liberal Democrat family in the Palais d'Egmont where they shared their assessment of the failure to ratify the European Constitution and the steps necessary to restore confidence amongst the European electorate.

"Leaders must have a real debate tonight, tomorrow and in the coming months about what sort of Europe they want and what will enjoy the support of their citizens" said Watson. "Europe is clearly lacking a compelling narrative. Our national leaders need to convince the electorate that EU can provide the answers to the many international challenges of the 21st century and offer a vision of society for the people and not just for the elite.

What colour is your car?

Published on Thursday 16th June 2005

New cars are to be colour coded to indicate their pollution levels but a South West Euro-MP says the scheme does not go far enough.

The spectrum of new labels will be displayed on vehicles in car showrooms from the start of July. A dark green label will signify lowest emissions of the global warming gas carbon dioxide (CO2) while a red label will signal the worst polluter.

UK motor manufacturers have agreed to introduce a voluntary scheme in a bid to head off the prospect of EU legislation.

Arab International Women's Forum - Cairo 12th June 2005

Published on Sunday 12th June 2005

"Women in the Arab world: progress and opportunities"

Thank you very much for inviting me to this conference. The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe is pleased to work together with the other sponsors at this conference hosted by the Arab International Women's Forum, a follow-up to the Brussels conference which was held in the European Parliament in April.

We are confident that this conference can make a valuable contribution to the Barcelona process at the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership Conference in November.

Our interest in this dialogue is not new.

European Liberal Democrat Leader Challenges Tony Blair to Democratise the EU

Published on Friday 10th June 2005

Graham Watson, leading a delegation of European Liberal Democrat spokespersons in London for meeting with Tony Blair today, called for Britain to take the lead in restoring confidence amongst Europe's citizens during its six month stint at the EU helm, beginning on 1st July.

"Europe is at a crossroads following the French and Dutch rejection of the Constitutional treaty" said Watson. "It now falls to Tony Blair as the incoming President of the European Council to begin the process of explaining Europe better and justifying the decisions of British Ministers when they meet in Brussels."

Whilst agreeing with the British Prime Minister on the need for reorientation of EU budget priorities, in favour of measures that will raise European competitiveness, he nevertheless called on Blair to lead by example and show a readiness to cap the UK rebate in return for completing further much needed reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.

South West MEPs support London 2012 Olympic bid

Published on Thursday 9th June 2005

Rebuilding Iraq will require "a commitment from Europe for a generation", ALDE President Graham Watson (LibDem/UK) argued today in a debate in Strasbourg on EU policy in Iraq. Mr Watson criticised those who put a "reckoning" on responsibility for the war in Iraq before a commitment to "that battered country". Mr Watson said: "When your friend's house is burning down, you do not stop to argue over who dropped the match.

New move to ban cat and dog fur

Published on Thursday 9th June 2005

A European Commissioner has pledged to find ways to introduce EU-wide rules to prevent the importation of cat and dog fur from China.

Animal welfare organisations have condemned the lack of controls to prevent the sale of products using fur from creatures said to be kept in cruel conditions and killed brutally. The material has been found across Europe in gloves, in fur collars on fashion clothing, and in novelty items including toy cats and dogs.

Trade rules and legal restrictions are said to have prevented action being taken in the past but yesterday EU Consumer Affairs Commissioners Marcus Kyprianou told MEPs that he wanted his advisors to find solutions not present problems.