Graham's Casework Success!

Protecting Independent Garages and their Customers

The EU's Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation is designed to protect small, independent garages from powerful car manufacturers. It makes sure that small garages have the information, tools and expertise needed to carry out car repairs, and provided they meet the right strandards, they can also service vehicles brought from dealers.

Graham believes that independent garages do a good job for the economy, customers and the local environment. He has made sure they are able to compete with big dealerships.

The regulation makes sure repairers do business on a level playing field, and customers can rely on their local garage for a good service.

However, after scaremongering from anti-EU groups (and some poor communication on behalf of the European Commission), independent garages and their customers were concerned a review of the Regulation would remove this assurance. Many contacted Graham asking for his support.

Graham met with garage owners to discuss their concerns. He then questioned the Commission about their plans, and asked them to assure all parties that whatever changes were made to MVBER, independent garages would retain their right to repair. Graham was able to gain the assurances that were needed and have them put on the Parliamentary record.

View the exchange by following the link below;

• Graham's question to Commissioner Kroes, and her thorough response.

Graham said;

"The EU works hard to protect small businesses and consumers. I am pleased we were able to secure the guarantees that independent garages and their customers needed."

A leader of the "Right 2 Repair Campaign" contacted Graham to say;

"My involvement with R2RC is my first foray into 'lobbying' and at times I have become extremely disillusioned with the political process and the apparent inability of our elected politicians to make a difference. At a time when our MPs and MEPs are receiving a bad press, you have restored my faith! You have listened to your constituents, you have researched the subject, you have formed a view and you have acted. You are a credit to your profession."

Securing Medical Rights for Brits Abroad

Graham and his colleagues have worked hard to ensure European citizens have the same medical rights as locals, wherever they go in Europe.

For example, this means that in Spain, UK pensioners are entitled to free prescriptions. However, Graham was contacted by a constituent who had repeatedly faced bureaucratic barriers to securing this right.

Graham contacted the UK Government and Commission on his behalf, and ensured that Spanish practices were investigated and corrected to remove unnecessary bureacratic obstacles. Follow the link below to see the Commission's response to Graham's questioning;

• Graham's Parliamentary Question regarding pensioners medical rights in Spain.

Defending Local Traditions- Cider Brandy

Graham is working with Julian Temperley (2nd from left) in Brussels to protect Cider Brandy, after UK Government failures.

To avoid cheap imitations, the European Commission and member states draws up agreed definitions of products like Brandy.

However, following a case of gross oversight and ineptitude on the part of the British Government, 'Cider Brandy' was removed from the list. This threatened an age-old brand produced in quantity in the South West.

Graham joined forces with local Cider Brandy producer Julian Temperley to win the support of the European Commission and lobby member states; Graham even served Somerset Cider Brandy to the Commission President Jose Manuel Barosso.

He is now working with Julian Temerley, DEFRA and the UK Government to secure Protected Geographical Indication for Cider Brandy which will protect the product. Watch this space for any developments...

Julian Temperley has praised Graham for his support;

"We have had to approach the Commission ourselves and have been hugely helped by one of our regional MEPs, Graham Watson, who has always been a great support. We had a meeting with the Commission and, while they declined to amend the regulation they promised to support a Somerset Cider Brandy application for PGI status. This may take two years and hopefully we will end up with Somerset Cider Brandy having the same legal protection as Calvados or Champagne. The local Tory and UKIP MEPs were of no help."

Broadening Horizon's

In 2006, Graham established the Broadening Horizons scheme which places Taiwanese language assistants into South West schools at minimal costs. It is estimated that over 400 school children have benefitted from the scheme since it began.

For more information on Broadening Horizons, click here.

What the "customers" say...!

To see what constituents have to say about Graham's work, click here.