Graham Watson | |
|---|---|
 Graham Watson in 2010 | |
| President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party | |
| In office 25 November 2011 – 21 November 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck |
| Succeeded by | Hans van Baalen |
| Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group | |
| In office 25 May 2004 – 1 July 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Guy Verhofstadt |
| Member of the European Parliament for South West England | |
| In office 19 July 1994 – 30 June 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 March 1956 Rothesay, Scotland, UK |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom • Italy |
| Political party | Liberal Democrats (1988–present) LDE (2024–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Liberal (1972–1988) NLYL (1972–1988) |
| Spouse | Rita Giannini |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Heriot-Watt University |
Sir Graham Robert Watson (born 23 March 1956) is a British Liberal Democrat politician who served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for South West England from 1994 to 2014. Watson was the chairman of the Parliament's committee on citizens rights, justice and home affairs (1999–2002). He then served for seven and a half years as leader of the Liberal Group in the European Parliament, first as leader of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party Group (2002–2004) and then as leader of the new Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group (2004–2009).[1] From 2011 until 2015, he was the president of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party. From 2015 to 2020, he was a UK Member on the European Economic and Social Committee. He is currently an adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.
Sir Graham, who holds Italian citizenship through marriage, was chosen as head of list for the 2024 European Parliament election in North East Italy by the centrist coalition 'United States of Europe' (electoral list). He was not elected since the coalition failed to reach the threshold of votes required nationwide to elect MEPs. [2]
- ^ "Biography: Graham Watson MEP". Graham Watson MEP website. Archived from the original on 9 October 2007. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
- ^ "Bonino capolista per Stati Uniti d'Europa nel Nord ovest - Notizie - Ansa.it". Agenzia ANSA (in Italian). 20 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.