Female Leader for Lib Dems in European Parliament (Diana Wallis MEP)

Diana Wallis MEP <info@dianawallismep.org.uk>

Female Leader for Lib Dems in European Parliament

December 14, 2001 12:00 AM

Yorkshire MEP Diana Wallis has won the battle to lead the 11-strong Liberal Democrat group in the European Parliament. She takes over from outgoing leader Graham Watson with immediate affect.

Speaking from Strasbourg after the vote, Diana Wallis said, "I am delighted to follow in the steps of Graham Watson, one of the first Liberal Democrats to be elected to the European Parliament in 1994."

Diana Wallis is the first female ever to lead an elected parliamentary group for the Liberal Democrats.

She said, "This is a good step forward for women in the Liberal Democrats and I shall be delighted to be working with Shirley Williams, recently elected our Leader in the Lords."

"In the Parliament itself the UK Lib Dems represent the largest national delegation in the Liberal group and because no one party has overall control, the votes of the Liberal group are pivotal in the decision-making process. "

"It is widely considered by political commentators that the UK Lib Dem group punches above its weight in the European parliament. As in Scotland and Wales in Brussels we have shown we can make a difference. We will continue our important work especially in the context of the Euro, enlargement and EU governance."

Outgoing Leader Graham Watson said earlier, "It has been an honour to lead the UK Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament since the election in June 1999. During this period we have achieved much and have welcomed on board Bill Newton-Dunn MEP from the Conservatives.

"To hand over the tiller to a successor as talented as Diana is a source of satisfaction. I shall be pleased to serve under her and to support her leadership from whatever new role I occupy within the European Liberal Democrats."