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Graham Watson MEP
Graham Watson
Incumbent
Assumed office 
2004-07-13
Preceded by group formed
Incumbent
Assumed office 
2004-07-19
Preceded by new constituency
In office
2002-01-06 – 2004-07-13
Preceded by Pat Cox
Succeeded by group dissolved
In office
1999-07-20 – 2004-07-18
Preceded by new constituency
Succeeded by constituency abolished
In office
1994-07-18 – 1999-07-20
Preceded by new constituency
Succeeded by constituency abolished
Majority 22,500
Born March 23, 1956 (1956-03-23) (age 52)
Flag of the United Kingdom Rothesay, United Kingdom
Nationality British
Political party Liberal Democrats / ELDR
Spouse Rita Watson
Children 1 daughter and 1 son
Residence Langport, United Kingdom
Alma mater Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
Occupation Politician
Profession Interpreter, Banker, Politician
Website http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org

Graham Watson MEP (born 1956-03-23) is a European politician from the United Kingdom. A Member of the European Parliament ( English abbreviation MEP) is a member of the European Union 's legislative body the European Parliament. The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe ( French: Alliance des Démocrates et des Libéraux pour l'Europe) is an alliance between two European political parties "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to The European Parliament ( Europarl or EP) is the only directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union (EU South West England is a Constituency of the European Parliament. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 711 - Muslim forces under Tariq ibn Ziyad defeat the Visigoths led by their king Roderic. The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (founded in 1993 is a liberal party, mainly active in the European Union, composed of 55 national parties from across See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1066 - Harold Godwinson is crowned King of England. 1205 - Philip of Swabia becomes King "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to Pat Cox (born 28 November 1952 is a former Irish politician and television current affairs presenter The European Parliament ( Europarl or EP) is the only directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union (EU South West England is a Constituency of the European Parliament. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Events 1304 - Wars of Scottish Independence: Fall of Stirling Castle - King Edward I of England takes the last rebel stronghold "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 390 BC - Roman - Gaulish Wars Battle of the Allia - a Roman army is defeated by raiding Gauls, The European Parliament ( Europarl or EP) is the only directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union (EU South West England is a Constituency of the European Parliament. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) Events 390 BC - Roman - Gaulish Wars Battle of the Allia - a Roman army is defeated by raiding Gauls, Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Events 1304 - Wars of Scottish Independence: Fall of Stirling Castle - King Edward I of England takes the last rebel stronghold Events 1174 - Jocelin, Abbot of Melrose, is elected Bishop of Glasgow. Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The town of Rothesay (Baile Bhòid is the principal town on the Isle of Bute, in the council area of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal Political party in the United Kingdom, formed in 1988 by merging the The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (founded in 1993 is a liberal party, mainly active in the European Union, composed of 55 national parties from across Langport is a small Town and Civil parish in Somerset, England, situated five Miles west of Somerton in the South The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Alma mater is Latin for "nourishing mother" It was used in Ancient Rome as a title for the mother Goddess, and in Medieval Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, is the eighth-oldest higher education institution in the United Kingdom, although it only received Edinburgh ( ˈɛdɪnb(ərə Dùn Èideann) is the Capital of Scotland and is its second largest city after Glasgow. A politician (from Greek " Polis " is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making through the influence of Politics or a person A banker or bank is a Financial institution whose primary activity is to act as a payment agent for customers and to borrow and lend money A politician (from Greek " Polis " is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making through the influence of Politics or a person A Member of the European Parliament ( English abbreviation MEP) is a member of the European Union 's legislative body the European Parliament. Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1174 - Jocelin, Abbot of Melrose, is elected Bishop of Glasgow. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in A politician (from Greek " Polis " is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making through the influence of Politics or a person The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located He has served as a Member of the European Parliament for South West England since 1994 and leader of the liberal group in Parliament since 2002. A Member of the European Parliament ( English abbreviation MEP) is a member of the European Union 's legislative body the European Parliament. South West England is a Constituency of the European Parliament. The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe ( French: Alliance des Démocrates et des Libéraux pour l'Europe) is an alliance between two European political parties [1]

Contents

Early life

Graham Watson was born in Rothesay on the Isle of Bute (Scotland, United Kingdom). The town of Rothesay (Baile Bhòid is the principal town on the Isle of Bute, in the council area of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The Isle of Bute ( Eilean Bhòid in Gaelic is one of the Islands of the lower Firth of Clyde in Scotland. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located His father was an officer in the Royal Navy and his mother a teacher. An officer is a member of an armed force who holds a position of authority The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) In Education, a teacher is one who helps Students or pupils often in a School, as well as in a Family, religious or Watson was educated at the City of Bath Boys' School in Somerset. Beechen Cliff School is a boys` Secondary school in Bath Somerset, in England. Somerset ( or) is a county in south west England The County town is Taunton, which is in the south of the county He later returned to Scotland to attend the Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh where he graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts in modern languages. Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, is the eighth-oldest higher education institution in the United Kingdom, although it only received Edinburgh ( ˈɛdɪnb(ərə Dùn Èideann) is the Capital of Scotland and is its second largest city after Glasgow. A modern language is any Human Language that is currently in use [1] This allowed him to work as an interpreter between 1979 and 1980,[2] he now speaks four European languages. Language interpreting or interpretation is the intellectual activity of facilitating oral and sign-language communication either simultaneously or consecutively between two Most of the many Languages of Europe belong to the Indo-European Language family. [1] After 1980 he worked as an administrator at Paisley College until 1983. The University of the West of Scotland ( Scottish Gaelic: Oilthigh na h-Alba an Iar traces its roots to the late 19th century Paisley, Scotland. [2]

Watson had begun his political activity when he joined the International Federation of Liberal Youth, becoming a vice-president (1977) then General Secretary (1979) of the organisation. The International Federation of Liberal Youth ( IFLRY) is an international liberal youth organization [2] He was a founder of the European Communities' Youth Forum. The European Youth Forum (YFJ from (YFJ from Youth Forum Jeunesse) is an international NGO set up to lobby international institutions - mainly the European [1] He became a council member of the Party of European Liberals and Democrats between 1983 and 1993. The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (founded in 1993 is a liberal party, mainly active in the European Union, composed of 55 national parties from across [2] Between 1983 and 1978 he also served as head of the private office of then leader of the British Liberal Party, Sir David Steel. The Liberal Party was one of the two major British political parties from the early 19th century until the rise of the Labour Party in the 1920s and a third party David Martin Scott Steel Baron Steel of Aikwood, KT, KBE, PC (born 31 March 1938) is a British and Scottish [1]

Following his work with Steel, then began work for the bank HSBC in London and Hong Kong. HSBC Holdings plc ( (,,,) is a Public limited company incorporated in England and Wales, headquartered in London. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Hong Kong ( officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is a territory located on China 's south coast on the Pearl River Delta, and borders His work there included three months with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and gave him an interest in the Far East, he is now an adviser to the Asia Pacific Public Affairs Forum. Founded in 1991 the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD uses the tools of investment to help build market economies and democracies in 27 countries from central Europe The Far East is a term often used by people in the Western world to refer to the countries of East Asia. [1]

European Parliament

Immediately after his work with HSBC, he returned to the Liberal Democrats for the 1994 European Parliamentary election. The 1994 European Parliamentary Election was a European election held across the 12 European Union member states in June 1994 He was elected for Somerset and North Devon with a majority of over 22,500. In six European Union Member States ( Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom) the national Watson,[1] along with Robin Teverson for Cornwall and West Plymouth,[3] became the first liberals returned from a British constituency to serve in the European Parliament. Robin Teverson Baron Teverson (born 31 March 1952) is a Liberal Democrat Whip and currently Spokesperson for Environment Food and Rural Affairs The European Parliament ( Europarl or EP) is the only directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union (EU Watson and Teverson sat with the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR) Group. The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (founded in 1993 is a liberal party, mainly active in the European Union, composed of 55 national parties from across [1] During this term, Watson served on two committees; the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and Industrial Policy and the Committee on Budgets,[1] and acted as whip for the ELDR group until 1996. The Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON is a Committee of the European Parliament. The Committee on Industry Research and Energy (ITRE is a Committee of the European Parliament. The Committee on Budgets ( BUDG) is a Committee within the European Parliament. Whip is a role in party-based politics whose primary purpose is to ensure control of the formal decision-making process in a parliamentary legislature [2]

Fifth term

In 1999 the introduction of proportional representation in the UK for European elections meant Watson's constituency was abolished in favour of a larger multi-member constituency encompassing South West England. Proportional representation (sometimes referred to as full representation or PR is a category of electoral formula aiming at a close match between the percentage of votes South West England is one of the Regions of England. It is the largest such region in terms of area and extends from Gloucestershire and Wiltshire to The South West constituency would later also include Gibraltar in 2004. South West England is a Constituency of the European Parliament. Gibraltar (dʒɨˈbrɒltər is a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar Watson was re-elected in this constituency as the sole liberal member during the 1999 European Parliamentary election. The 1999 European Parliamentary Election was a European election for all 626 members of the European Parliament held across the 15 European Union He had gained 171,398 votes, 15. 7% of the total behind both Labour and the Conservatives (1 and 4 seats respectively). The Labour Party is a Political party in the United Kingdom. Founded at the start of the 20th century it has been since the 1920s the principal party of the The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is a Political party in the United Kingdom. [4] During this term he led the British liberals in the parliament[2] and between 1999 to 2002 he held the chair of the Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs. The Committee on Civil Liberties Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE is a standing Committee of the European Parliament. [1]

During this parliamentary term the ELDR Group were in coalition with the European People's Party–European Democrats (EPP–ED). This article is about the current European Parliament Group and its predecessors dating back to 1952 [5] As per a usual agreement between the majority alliance, the term of President of the European Parliament is split between the two parties, giving the then-leader of the ELDR Group, Pat Cox MEP, the Presidency from 2002. The President of the European Parliament presides over the debates and activities of the European Parliament. Pat Cox (born 28 November 1952 is a former Irish politician and television current affairs presenter [6] When he took up the post, Watson was elected to succeed him as leader of the ELDR Group. [1]

Sixth term

Watson was re-elected once more following the 2004 European Parliamentary election with 265,619 votes (18. Elections to the European Parliament were held from 10 June 2004 to 13 June 2004 in the 25 member states of the European Union, using varying election days according 3%) behind the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) with 326,784 votes (22. The United Kingdom Independence Party (commonly known as UKIP, ˈjuːkɪp 6% giving two seats) and the Conservatives with 457,371 votes (31. 6% giving three seats). Labour had fallen behind the Liberals to 209,908 votes (14. 5%) but still retained one seat. [7]

Following the election, the ELDR entered into an alliance with the newly formed European Democratic Party to form the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe. The European Democratic Party (EDP is a Centrist European political party in favour of European integration. The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe ( French: Alliance des Démocrates et des Libéraux pour l'Europe) is an alliance between two European political parties The ALDE group replaced the ELDR group (though ELDR and EDP exist as separate parties outside the Parliament) and Watson was elected leader of the new ALDE group which was the largest group ever established in the Parliament outside of the European People's Party and Party of European Socialists. The European People's Party (EPP is a Christian democratic and Liberal conservative European political party. The Party of European Socialists (PES is a European political party comprising of thirty-three socialist, social democratic and labour [8]

In 2007 Watson addressed the ELDR congress stating he wished to break the current left-right grand coalition. A grand coalition is a Coalition government in a Multi-party Parliamentary system where the two largest political parties unite in a coalition [9] He had previously been critical of this and welcomed the centre-right alliance his group had formed for the fifth term. [5] Watson liked the Socialists to poodles of the People's Party in their alliance. He cited in contrast the strength of the ALDE group in the Parliament and the Commission and that after 2009, the liberals would have strong candidates for the Commission. He also stated that the party would be moving towards Europe-wide campaigning rather than separate national campaigns. A political campaign is an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making process within a specific group [9]

Other activities and family

Watson now lives in Langport, Somerset, with his wife and two children. Langport is a small Town and Civil parish in Somerset, England, situated five Miles west of Somerton in the South Somerset ( or) is a county in south west England The County town is Taunton, which is in the south of the county [1] His wife, Rita, is from Italy[10] and their children, one daughter called Frederica and one son called Gregory,[11] were born in 1992 and 1995 respectively. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest [1] He also has a dog called Brillig. [11] Watson enjoys sailing and jazz music. Sailing is the art of controlling a Sailing vessel. By changing the Rigging, Rudder and dagger or centre board a Sailor manages the force Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States [1] Since 1999 he has been editor of "The Parliament Magazine". A literary editor is an editor in a Newspaper or similar publication who deals with aspects concerning Literature and Books especially reviews [2]

Bibliography

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Biography: Graham Watson MEP. Graham Watson MEP website. Retrieved on 2007-10-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 3761 BC - The epoch (origin of the modern Hebrew calendar ( Proleptic Julian calendar)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g MEP Profile: Graham Watson. European Parliament. Europa (sometimes written EUROPA) the official Web portal of the European Union, is intended to improve the public’s interaction with EU institutions Retrieved on 2007-10-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 3761 BC - The epoch (origin of the modern Hebrew calendar ( Proleptic Julian calendar)
  3. ^ Cracknell, Richard; Bryn Morgan (1999-06-02). Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Events 455 - The Vandals enter Rome, and plunder the city for two weeks European Parliament Elections 1979 to 1994 (PDF). House of Commons Library. The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories Retrieved on 2007-10-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 3761 BC - The epoch (origin of the modern Hebrew calendar ( Proleptic Julian calendar)
  4. ^ European Election Results For South West England. Graham Watson MEP website. Retrieved on 2007-10-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 3761 BC - The epoch (origin of the modern Hebrew calendar ( Proleptic Julian calendar)
  5. ^ a b Interview: Graham Watson, leader of group of Liberal Democrat MEPs. Euractiv (2004-06-15). "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 763 BC - Assyrians record a Solar eclipse that will be used to fix the Chronology of Mesopotamian history Retrieved on 2007-11-01. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 996 - Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk Bishop of Freising which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi
  6. ^ European Parliament elects new president. BBC News (1999-07-20). Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Events 1304 - Wars of Scottish Independence: Fall of Stirling Castle - King Edward I of England takes the last rebel stronghold Retrieved on 2007-11-01. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 996 - Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk Bishop of Freising which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi
  7. ^ European Election Results For South West England. Graham Watson MEP website. Retrieved on 2007-10-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 3761 BC - The epoch (origin of the modern Hebrew calendar ( Proleptic Julian calendar)
  8. ^ The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe is born. Graham Watson MEP website (2004-07-14). "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 1223 - Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father Philip II of France. Retrieved on 2007-10-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 3761 BC - The epoch (origin of the modern Hebrew calendar ( Proleptic Julian calendar)
  9. ^ a b Jones, Chris (2007-10-19). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 202 BCE - The Battle of Zama results in the defeat of Carthage and Hannibal. Watson kicks off EU election campaign. The Parliament Magazine. Retrieved on 2007-11-01. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 996 - Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk Bishop of Freising which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi
  10. ^ Graham's blog entry 31 August 2007. Graham Watson MEP website (2007-08-31). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1056 - Byzantine Empress Theodora becomes ill dying suddenly a few days later without children to succeed the Throne Retrieved on 2007-10-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 3761 BC - The epoch (origin of the modern Hebrew calendar ( Proleptic Julian calendar)
  11. ^ a b Photo Gallery. Graham Watson MEP website (2007-08-31). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1056 - Byzantine Empress Theodora becomes ill dying suddenly a few days later without children to succeed the Throne Retrieved on 2007-10-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 3761 BC - The epoch (origin of the modern Hebrew calendar ( Proleptic Julian calendar)

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