Watson will be a great leader for Liberals in Europe – Clegg

Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has congratulated Sir Graham Watson MEP on his election as (ELDR), the grouping of Liberal parties in Europe.

Commenting, Nick Clegg said:

"In uncertain times we need strong leaders in Europe who are prepared to do the right thing in very difficult circumstances.

"That's why I think Sir Graham will be a great leader for Liberals in Europe. His skill and wealth of experience will be invaluable as he brings people together to face these huge challenges.

"I have known Sir Graham for many years and he has always been a strong, passionate voice for the cause of Liberalism."

ELDR is the European political party federation to which the Liberal Democrats belong, along with 55 other Liberal parties across Europe including the German FDP, the Netherlands' VVD and D66 parties, Denmark's Venstre and Russia's PDU and Yabloko parties.

Eight out of the 27 European Commissioners and two sitting European Prime Ministers, Andrus Ansip of Estonia and Mark Rutte of the Netherlands, count amongst its ranks