Local Lib Dem MEP elected head of pro-European 'third force' in European Parliament

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 14th Jul 2004

Graham Watson MEP, South West Liberal Democrat MEP was last night elected leader of the new Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the European Parliament. The new group, which will be the largest third force (after the Christian Democratic EPP and the Socialist PSE) in the history of the European Parliament, unites the existing European Liberal Democrat Group with MEPs from Romano Prodi's Ulivo Coalition and the French UDF. It will bring together 88 Liberals and Democrats from the United Kingdom and across Europe. Graham Watson, who was leader of the European Liberal Democrat Group in the last European Parliament, has been elected leader of the new group.

After his election as leader Graham Watson said:

"I am very proud to lead this new group, which will be working to see Liberal Democrat and pro-European values imprinted on the work of the European Union. We have become the largest third force in the history of the European Parliament and I plan to see that strength put to good use. We will be campaigning for a more open and effective European Union, capable of delivering the prosperity and security that Europeans want. We will also be running a strong campaign for the new European Constitution."

"The group will be deeply pro-european and will be campaigning for the new European Constitution. It has also launched a campaign to see one of its members, celebrated Polish intellectual and pro-democracy campaigner Bronislaw Geremek, elected President of the European Parliament."

"The creation of this new group shows that Liberal Democratic values are increasingly the values of Europe. As a pro-european party committed to the promoting the interests of all EU citizens, we are a walking, talking refutation of the claim of the anti-Europeans to represent the spirit of the times."