The Lib Dems are not a party that blindly accepts the EU Commission's bidding

A common misconception about the Lib Dems is that the party is blindly and dogmatically "Pro-European" and that its policy towards the EU is both confused and shapeless. Graham Watson gave a speech this morning (or at least it was on TV this morning) in the Euro Parl on behalf of ALDE stating the Liberal position on Ireland's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty. He was critical but friendly, biting, yet productive and demonstrated a clear vision of Liberal policy towards the EU. It was a speech that demonstrated an instinctive pro-europeanism tempered with realism and serious criticisms of the workings and occasional arrogance of the EU. Nick Clegg failed to sell or explain our policy towards Lisbon and thinking about Europe, even though he wrote the excellent chapter on Europe in the Orange Book. Graham Watson, the leader of all European Liberals in the European Parliament, showed him how its done.


The speech isn't up on the Euro equivalent of Hansard yet, but take a look if you can.