Graham Watson MEP
Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament for South West England and Gibraltar
A local champion with an international reputation
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Euro-MP Backs Freedom of Choice on E-cigs
Published on Tuesday 14th May 2013
South West England MEP Sir Graham Watson is backing calls from constituents to stamp out attempts to restrict the availability and strength of e-cigarettes.
E-cigarettes provide users with a nicotine boost similar to conventional cigarettes, but contain none of the ingredients connected to smoking related disease such as tar or tobacco.
Last year, over 700,000 people took to lighting up an electronic fag. This year that figure is set to top one million.
Watson Urges Action on Seabird Deaths
Published on Thursday 9th May 2013
Following a visit to the RSPCA wildlife rescue centre at West Hatch, Somerset, South West Lib Dem Euro-MP Sir Graham Watson has urged the government and the European Commission to take action on the source of major pollution that has led to the washing up of nearly 3,000 birds off the Devon, Dorset and Cornish coast this year.
The birds are believed to have been polluted by chemicals discharged from ships sailing through the English Channel. The substance is thought to be Polyisobutene (PIB), a sticky rubber like substance used in a variety of commercial products. Ships clean out their tanks after leaving port, dumping residue PIB into the sea.
Twinning Town’s success shines in Brussels
Published on Wednesday 17th April 2013
Representatives of Sherborne, Dorset are set to launch an exhibition tonight within the European Parliament highlighting their successful town twinning scheme.
Whilst many towns are involved with individual twinning agreements, Sherborne is twinned with towns in all 26 other European Union member states.
In 1989 Sherborne along with Granville, in Normandy, France sought to twin themselves with towns across (the then 12 Member States of) the European Community.
The alliance became known as the "Douzelage", taking its name from "Douze" and its 12 original members and "jumelage" for twinning.
Watson: Risk to security from Tories' proposed EU policing opt out
Published on Tuesday 23rd April 2013
A report released today (Tuesday 23 April) by the House of Lords EU Committee argues that the Government has failed to make a convincing case for a 'mass' opt out from a set of EU police and criminal justice cooperation measures, and that such a move would in fact prejudice the UK's security.
South West England Liberal Democrat MEP Sir Graham Watson commented:
"This cross-party report should bring to a halt the Tory plan for the UK to pull out of essential EU cooperation against criminals and terrorists. It makes crystal clear, on the basis of expert evidence, that this unnecessary opt out puts at risk the safety of UK citizens."
"It would be extraordinary if the Tories - who have long claimed to be the self-styled party of 'law and order' - were to put prejudice before precaution in pressing ahead with withdrawal from key European crime-fighting measures.
Read more: Watson: Risk to security from Tories' proposed EU policing opt out
MEP Calls for Focus on Marine Conservation Zones
Published on Tuesday 16th April 2013
Member of the European Parliament Sir Graham Watson has called on coastal communities to work together to form new Marine Conservation Zones.
Speaking in the Strasbourg chamber of the European Parliament, Watson referred to a recent survey carried out by his office which showed that 99% of constituents wanted to see more Marine Conservation Zones around the south west coastline.
Marine Conservation Zones are conservation areas set up to protect and repair damaged aquacultures.
On the south coast, Lyme Bay and Torbay have adopted MCZ's.
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Graham's Newsletter
Every week Graham writes a newsletter letting you know what has been happing in Europe over the past week. You can subscribe to receive this by email here. Below are the last editions.