Graham Watson MEP

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.

Read more: European Liberal Democrat Leader Challenges Tony Blair to Democratise the EU

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.

Read more: South West MEPs support London 2012 Olympic bid

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.

Read more: New move to ban cat and dog fur

Karin Resetarits admitted to ALDE group in European Parliament

Published on Wednesday 8th June 2005

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) in the European Parliament, chaired by Graham Watson MEP (UK Liberal Democrat) this evening approved the admission of Austrian MEP Karin Resetarits who has so far been sitting with non-aligned members of the Parliament.

"I am pleased to announce the decision of the ALDE group this evening, following a positive recommendation from the Bureau earlier today, to welcome Karin Resetarits into the family of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament. We are increasing our membership numerically, geographically and in influence in this House. The addition of an Austrian deputy will further extend the reach of our activities to another Member State and bring a further national dimension to our work" declared Graham Watson.

Read more: Karin Resetarits admitted to ALDE group in European Parliament

EU Constitution: ALDE calls on European Council to assume its responsibility

Published on Wednesday 8th June 2005

Speaking today in the European Parliament in a debate on preparations for the forthcoming EU summit following the crisis provoked by the 'no' votes in France and Netherlands on the Constitution, Graham Watson, president of the European Liberal Democrat group declared "Whatever the fate of Europe's Constitution, the summit on the 16th/17th should already start to look ahead to Europe's future and initiate a period of serious reflection on how to improve our accountability rather than continuing to cry over spilled milk". The necessary precursor to the ratification process said Watson is that "Jacques Chirac and Jan Peter Balkenende must indicate whether or not their countries will be able one day to ratify the Constitution. European governments now find themselves victims of their own duplicity for having boasted so long of their European successes whilst blaming the EU itself for all their ills," he added.

Andrew Duff (UK, Lib Dem) and ALDE spokesperson on constitutional affairs remarked that "the European Council should decide to suspend the ratification process in order to have a broad and genuine debate on the future of Europe.

Read more: EU Constitution: ALDE calls on European Council to assume its responsibility

British 'Booze Cruises' defended by MEP

Published on Wednesday 8th June 2005

Members of the European Parliament today defended the right of British tourists to bring home cheap cigarettes and alcohol from their holidays in the EU.

Thousands of UK shoppers who have been accused of smuggling have had their goods and vehicles confiscated at UK ports. In some cases people have had their cars impounded and even crushed.

The European Parliament today adopted a report which proposes the scrapping of indicative limits on the amount of alcohol and cigarettes that can be brought into the UK and also reverses the burden of proof, so that customs officials will now have to prove goods are not for personal use.

Read more: British 'Booze Cruises' defended by MEP

MEPs anti-terror legislation fears confirmed - Watson

Published on Wednesday 8th June 2005

Britain's anti-terror legislation has come under heavy fire today with the publication of a long-awaited report by the European body responsible for human rights.

The report by the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights is highly critical of Britain's Control and anti-social behaviour orders which the government managed to scrape through parliament in the face of huge opposition.

Commenting on the report which condemns Britain's, post 9/11, anti-terrorism measures, Graham Watson MEP, Leader of the Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament said:

"This report only confirms my belief that the approach of the British Government is wrong. To systematically arrest and interrogate people, based upon what the authorities perceive to be their beliefs, is against traditional British values and is tearing the very fabric of our society.

Read more: MEPs anti-terror legislation fears confirmed - Watson

EU Constitution and the future for Europe

Published on Wednesday 8th June 2005

Graham Watson, on behalf of the ALDE Group. - Mr President, Thomas Jefferson said in 1787, 'a little rebellion now and then is a good thing'. Beyond the gloom and pessimism about Europe's future, last week's rebellion by our citizens could turn out to have some benefits. Member States are confronted with the outcome of their own duplicity.

Read more: EU Constitution and the future for Europe

Euro MP paves way for 'smart' energy meters

Published on Tuesday 7th June 2005

A Plan to introduce 'smart meters' to check on gas and electricity use in every home has been backed by MEPs.

The new EU law, aimed at increasing energy efficiency and curbing climate change, should now also play a role in helping tackle consumer debt.

Smart metering services, which will be will be introduced to all new connections and as existing meters need replacing, will allow consumers to check at a glance how much energy they are using and how much it will cost. The new meters are part of a package of measures that will also force energy companies, for the first time, to give individual consumers accurate and detailed bills along with information about the environmental impact of their energy use.

Read more: Euro MP paves way for 'smart' energy meters

Bulgarian & Romanian Observers in the European Parliament

Published on Saturday 4th June 2005

Graham Watson (ALDE). - Mr President, in 1993 in Copenhagen the Union agreed a strategy of ten plus two for enlargement. We have pursued it to the huge benefit of those 12 countries and of the other Member States in terms of greater stability, greater prosperity and greater opportunities for our citizens. Whatever the position of the EPP's Prime Ministers, within the EPP group there has always been a history of opposition to Bulgaria and Romania.

Read more: Bulgarian & Romanian Observers in the European Parliament

Graham Watson proposes a "Super Poll" for EU-wide referendum after a pause for reflection

Published on Friday 3rd June 2005

European Liberal Democrat leader Graham Watson today called for a "Super Polling Day" ratification of the EU Constitutional Treaty in the autumn of 2007. 1st November 2007 could serve as a suitable date for an EU wide poll for all those countries which have not ratified the Treaty (and which choose to do so by public plebiscite), the Leader of the EP Liberals and Democrats said: "The European Council should delay by one year the final date for ratification of the Treaty establishing an EU Constitution. This will allow time to the governments of Member States to come clean with their people about what they are doing at EU level and why. There is no sensible case for ditching a Treaty which has been five years in the making and which consists of a carefully crafted compromise.

Read more: Graham Watson proposes a "Super Poll" for EU-wide referendum after a pause for reflection

Khodorkovsky sentence a slap in the face for the Rule of Law

Published on Tuesday 31st May 2005

Reacting today to the news of the conclusion of the sentencing in the trial of former Yukos boss, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Graham Watson, the Liberal Democrat Group leader in the European Parliament insisted that "he was singled out by Vladimir Putin because he helped to finance Russia's Liberal Party, Yabloko. His sentence today to nine years in prison after a show-trial is further proof that Russia rejects liberal and democratic values. This must have consequences for the EU's relations with Russia which is increasingly distancing itself from mainstream Europe and fundamental values based on the Rule of Law."

Read more: Khodorkovsky sentence a slap in the face for the Rule of Law

ECJ ruling on animal-tested cosmetics is a victory, says South West & Gibraltar MEP

Published on Wednesday 25th May 2005

The EU's court, the European Court of Justice, has dismissed the action brought by France against the Europe-wide ban on animal-testing of cosmetic products.

South West and Gibraltar Liberal Democrat MEP, Graham Watson, a key supporter of the 2003 EU Cosmetics Directive which brought in the ban, said:

"I applaud the European Court's verdict that there can be no more excuses for animal testing of toiletries, make-up and beauty products. It's a victory for ethical standards in an industry that has unnecessarily flattered human vanity at the expense of animal suffering."

"French companies are major players in the cosmetics industry and I'm not surprised that they've tried this on.

Read more: ECJ ruling on animal-tested cosmetics is a victory, says South West & Gibraltar MEP

Liberals and Democrats unanimous in rejecting censure motion on Barroso

Published on Wednesday 25th May 2005

Graham Watson (UK, Lib Dem) will be speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the plenary debate this afternoon on the motion for censure tabled by 77 Eurosceptics. Whilst taking the general view that receipt of hospitality benefits should be treated in exactly the same way as any gift over a certain value, the leader of Parliament's third political group will reject the attempt to use the censure motion as a vehicle of reproach.

"There are plenty of other parliamentary and political means to raise concerns of conflicts of interest that do not require use of a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Abuse of a censure motion like this means it loses its significance when it really matters.

Read more: Liberals and Democrats unanimous in rejecting censure motion on Barroso

Motion of Censure on Mr Barroso

Published on Wednesday 25th May 2005

Mr Barroso, you must feel rather perplexed. We started a debate about hospitality. You volunteered us the information about your holiday with Mr Latsis as an example: a friendship of long duration, a holiday accepted before you took office, before there was any debate about whether you might assume certain responsibilities you are now accused of abusing - quite apart from the fact that there is hardly a major industry in Europe which does not receive some government support. And if you had no contacts with industrialists, you would have as few friends as Mr Farage!

(Laughter)

Liberals and Democrats will defend accountability and transparency in all of the European Union's business.

Read more: Motion of Censure on Mr Barroso