Graham Watson MEP

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

Congres UDF pour le Referendum, 21 Mai 05, Sofitel St Jacques, Paris

Published on Monday 23rd May 2005

Cher Francois, Chers amis,

Parmi vous, ici, il y en a qui, comme moi, sont venus de loin pour soutenir le "Oui" à la Constitution. Parce que l'Europe regarde la France, parce que la France nous tiens à coeur et parce que, au coeur de l'Europe, nous voulons un bon gros "oui" français!

Comme toujours après la commémoration de la fin de la Deuxième Guerre Mondiale, il me paraît incroyable que le pays de Jean Monnet et de Jacques Delors puisse dire non. Personne en Grande Bretagne ou à Bruxelles ne peut imaginer une chose pareille!

Cette semaine, j'ai voulu voir de mes propres yeux. Je suis venu en France pour faire campagne avec Marielle de Sarnez, ma vice-présidente au groupe ADLE à Strasbourg et Bruxelles, François Bayrou, qui se dépense sans compter pour cette bataille européenne, et d'autres comme le Général Morillon, qui m'a même emmené pour chercher à convaincre des pêcheurs bretons! Moi! L'ennemi héréditaire!

De Senlis à Deauville, d'Amiens à Lorient, de Rennes à Compiègne, j'ai fait du tractage, j'ai serré des mains, vu des visages, argumenté .

Read more: Congres UDF pour le Referendum, 21 Mai 05, Sofitel St Jacques, Paris

EU-Russia relations: complex, but necessary

Published on Thursday 12th May 2005

"Durable EU-Russia relations cannot be based on real-politik or old- fashioned assumptions that the European Union is nothing more than a free-trade area. No lasting relations with Russia can be built on anything less than full respect for democracy, the rule of law and EU values", said Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe leader Graham WATSON at the occasion of the hearing organised by the ALDE on EU-Russia relations, held in Strasbourg on the 11 May.

The discussion was scheduled the day after the 15th EU-Russia Summit in Moscow. It provided an excellent opportunity for scholars, experts and MEPs to comment on the outcome of the summit.

Read more: EU-Russia relations: complex, but necessary

WWII Commemoration speech 11th May 2005

Published on Wednesday 11th May 2005

Mr President, the British poet John Donne observed: 'No man is an island, entire of itself, but a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less'.

That was in 1624, yet for over 300 years peoples and states continued to wage war across our continent. Tribalism and hatred are Europe's ugly legacy.

Read more: WWII Commemoration speech 11th May 2005

Europe's Constitution: Liberal Democrat Group leader appeals to French sense of history

Published on Monday 9th May 2005

Graham Watson today (leader of the Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament) took the opportunity of Schuman Day to appeal to French sense of history and their central role in creating the European Union by making a personal appeal ahead of the referendum at the end of the month.

"The European Community was launched 55 years ago today by a Frenchman, Robert Schuman, on the 5th anniversary of the end of the Second World War," recalled Watson

"It would be a great irony of history and unthinkable to Schuman's generation if those same ideals were also to be rejected by French men and women in the referendum on May 29th. The European Constitution is to today what the European Coal and Steel Community was to the French and Germans in 1950 - a hope for a better future in shared ideals, common objectives and pooled resources."

As Schuman himself said in prefacing his famous Declaration of 1950 "It is not a matter of mere words, but a constructive act of great audacity.

Read more: Europe's Constitution: Liberal Democrat Group leader appeals to French sense of history

More Liberal Democrats in Westminster will mean more constructive relationship with Brussels

Published on Friday 6th May 2005

Welcoming the result of the UK's national election last night which saw the Liberal Democrats win the highest number of parliamentary seats in Westminster since 1929, Graham Watson, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the European Parliament said:

"The Liberal Democrats in the UK continue their inexorable progress towards government. A stronger parliamentary team in the House of Commons under Charles Kennedy will pack more punch for liberalism and strengthen Britain's EU commitment."

"The UK's persistence with an out-dated voting system means once again that some votes count more than others whilst many are wasted and the outcome does not reflect the electorate's wishes. A proportional system similar to those used everywhere else in Europe would have produced an outcome which more truly reflected the strength of Liberal Democrat support.

Read more: More Liberal Democrats in Westminster will mean more constructive relationship with Brussels

Data retention: ALDE rapporteur considers Council proposals "disproportionate, invasive and illusory"

Published on Wednesday 4th May 2005

Data retention has been on the European Parliament's agenda since April 2004, when four Member States (France, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Sweden) submitted a joint proposal for a Framework decision on the retention of communications data. The Proposal aims to co-ordinate Member States' legislation in this field, in order to increase prevention, investigation, detection and prosecution of criminal offences, including terrorist acts. European Liberal Democrats organised a hearing with experts and industry yesterday (3rd May) "We need a genuine debate, one which has been sorely missing", said Alexander ALVARO (FDP, Germany), the European Parliament rapporteur on the data retention proposal. "The current proposal lacks a proper legal base, is disproportionate and ineffective.

Read more: Data retention: ALDE rapporteur considers Council proposals "disproportionate, invasive and illusory"

Liberals and Democrats back the Commission's new step to consolidate the Single Market in financial services

Published on Tuesday 3rd May 2005

"We welcome the Commission's launch of an extensive consultation in the field of financial services, which meets the European Parliament's call for transparency and involvement of stakeholders and market participants at all levels of law-making process", said Graham Watson, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), referring to the new Green Paper on Financial Services presented today by Commissioner Charlie McCreevy.

"Liberals and Democrats are convinced that a sound and efficient integrated market for financial services has a pivotal part in the Lisbon strategy and we will therefore contribute with our proposals for making the Financial Service Action Plan more effective", Watson added.

"The near completion of the FSAP at the end of 2004 (93% of the measures have been adopted) has allowed substantial progress towards integration of wholesale financial markets. This can be attributed to shared political will and the existence of an agreed roadmap of measures, which have stood firm in spite of recent downturn in stock markets.

Read more: Liberals and Democrats back the Commission's new step to consolidate the Single Market in financial services

"Welcome to the people of Bulgaria and Romania", says ALDE leader Graham Watson

Published on Monday 25th April 2005

Today, EU foreign ministers are set to sign in Luxembourg the EU accession treaty of Bulgaria and Romania. At this occasion, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe leader, Graham Watson said: "I warmly congratulate the liberal governments of Bulgaria and Romania who have implemented an impressive series of reforms. I am confident that both countries will meet the full commitments made in the negotiations to join the EU on 1 January 2007".

According to Graham Watson, Europe faces today many global challenges.

Read more: "Welcome to the people of Bulgaria and Romania", says ALDE leader Graham Watson

Recycling Plan put back

Published on Friday 22nd April 2005

In a major speech this week in the European Parliament with European Council President-in-Office Jean-Claude Juncker and Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Graham Watson, Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, appealed for stronger leadership from Heads of State and Government in the wake of flagging enthusiasm for Europe's Constitution in several Member States.

"What has happened to Europe's leadership? Where is the common sense of purpose?" asked Watson, ahead of a major televised debate in France tonight where President Chirac must make a defence of the Constitutional Treaty.

"Is it any wonder that French, Dutch or British citizens show little enthusiasm for a new Treaty when their leaders fail to communicate the European project effectively and inspire their citizens with a positive vision of a united and vibrant Europe?"

Debating the outcome of the Spring summit at the end of last month, billed as the 'relaunch of the Lisbon Strategy - Europe's bid for greater competitiveness and prosperity, Watson highlighted the contrast between the fine words and rhetoric of the written conclusions and the reality. "Europe's leaders seem to be sleep-walking on the Lisbon Agenda" declared Watson.

Read more: Recycling Plan put back

Somerset Group visits European Parliament

Published on Thursday 21st April 2005

In a major speech this week in the European Parliament with European Council President-in-Office Jean-Claude Juncker and Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Graham Watson, Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, appealed for stronger leadership from Heads of State and Government in the wake of flagging enthusiasm for Europe's Constitution in several Member States.

"What has happened to Europe's leadership? Where is the common sense of purpose?" asked Watson, ahead of a major televised debate in France tonight where President Chirac must make a defence of the Constitutional Treaty.

"Is it any wonder that French, Dutch or British citizens show little enthusiasm for a new Treaty when their leaders fail to communicate the European project effectively and inspire their citizens with a positive vision of a united and vibrant Europe?"

Debating the outcome of the Spring summit at the end of last month, billed as the 'relaunch of the Lisbon Strategy - Europe's bid for greater competitiveness and prosperity, Watson highlighted the contrast between the fine words and rhetoric of the written conclusions and the reality.

Read more: Somerset Group visits European Parliament