South West and Gibraltar Lib Dem MEP discusses 'drawbridge' politics

10.43.18am GMT Tue 13th Feb 2007

Graham Watson, the Liberal Democrat MEP for the South West and Gibraltar, was the guest speaker at an Italian gastronomic and politics evening in Long Sutton on Saturday 10th February. The well-attended event, which raised £500 for local Lib Dem funds, was organised by the Langport branch of Somerton & Frome Lib Dems. The guests were treated to real Italian cuisine, cooked by Graham's Italian wife, Rita, a former Chair of Somerton & Frome Lib Dems.

Graham spoke about how politics has changed, with the main division being no longer between left and right over different economic policies but between those whose reaction to the challenges of globalisation is to retreat into closed societies and those - like Lib Dems - who believe in an open society.

Graham said:

"The divide is increasingly over what I would call drawbridge issues. Imagine a medieval fortress, with a choice between raising the drawbridge to keep out the world or lowering it to engage in contact. Nowadays there are those who react to globalisation by pulling the drawbridge up and those who want it down."

Making reference to the local elections to be held in May, Graham encouraged the candidates for election to continue 18 years of successful Lib Dem rule in South Somerset.

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Previous news story: Spain and Britain see sense over Gibraltar reference - Watson (Mon 12th Feb 2007).
Next news story: Local MEP backs calls to end cruel holiday sport (Wed 14th Feb 2007).

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