Right wing split to make Liberal Democrats a stronger Euro force

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 5th Jul 2004

Leading Liberal Democrats from across the European Union will meet this week in Bath to finalise plans for a new centre party in the European Parliament which will be the largest third party Brussels has ever known.

Graham Watson MEP, Leader of the European Parliament's Liberal Group, and South West Lib Dem Euro-MP has chosen to host the meeting in his South West constituency in order to give a firm personal stamp to the new Group.

Disputes within the European Peoples Party, the EP's largest party and its main right-wing force, have led to moderates from France, Italy and other countries deciding to leave the EPP and join forces with Mr Watson's Liberals. Welcoming the converts, MEP Graham Watson said:

"The new Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe which we will build together will provide a strong and reliable party committed to the further development of the European Union at a time when many on the right have lost the plot. The anti-European nature of British Tories and others cannot be allowed to distract us from working together to meet the challenges of globalisation. To give our citizens the security, prosperity and opportunities which they expect there is no alternative to the European Union."