Graham Watson comments on Tory Party indecision on EPP membership

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 13th Jul 2006

Responding to David Cameron's announcement today that he was applying the brakes to his pledge to abandon ties with the main conservative parties on the continent, Graham Watson MEP (Liberal & Democrat group leader in the European Parliament) said:

"If David Cameron is genuinely dedicated to the ideals of a more modern, open, flexible and decentralised European Union, ready to face the challenges of the 21st century, he might just as well join the Liberal Democrats!"

"Everyone with any sense knew that it was not possible to create a new political group out of thin air half way through a political mandate. By allowing himself to be led on by an ill-informed group of Europe-bashers within his Party he has lost a lot of good will across continental Europe and re-opened old wounds within his own Party."

"What David Cameron needs to recognise is that Europe is no longer purely a negotiation between governments. In advance of every EU summit for example, centre-right parties across Europe sit down to prepare their positions, as do other major political families. If Mr Cameron sees himself as a prospective Prime Minister one day he cannot afford to alienate himself from such a network and the influence it brings."