Sir Graham Watson
interview
I was in Brussels
last week for a high level Party of European Socialists conference at the EU on
Europe’s industrial policy. I should stress it was high level not because I was
there but because the keynote speakers were Laszlo Andor, EU Commissioner for
Employment and Social Affairs, and Bernadette Segol,
the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation.
A man who spends much of his
time in Brussels working for Gibraltar is our Lib Dem Euro MP, Sir Graham
Watson. I once dubbed him in an article as “The man who speaks for Gibraltar”
and that is no exaggeration. So I took the opportunity to ask for his views on
Gibraltar in Europe, next year’s European Parliament elections and the UK’s
possible in – out referendum on EU membership
David Eade: Sir
Graham, thanks in large amount to your hard word Gibraltar’s voice is now heard
at the EU? What impact does Gibraltar now have and how can that be continued
and strengthened?
Sir Graham Watson:
In view of Spain's frustration of the lives of EU citizens living and working
on the Rock it is important that Gibraltar's voice be heard. I have been
pleased to organise meetings with EU Commissioners and other senior officials
to ensure that the administration in Brussels is aware of Gibraltar's
challenges. This is a process which should continue, since many of the
decisions made in Brussels have an impact on Gibraltar.
DE: Next year we
have the European elections. Currently in your seat there are three
Conservatives, two UKIP and yourself. I believe it is important for Gibraltar
that you are re-elected as you have been the only pro-active MEP for Gibraltar.
However with the increasing popularity of UKIP and with the pressure on the Conservative
and Lib Dem votes how are you viewing the looming polling day?
Sir Graham:
Gibraltar's voters can have an impact in this election. Support for populist
and newly established parties is rising across the EU, but I hope that voters
will look at the way these parties' MEPs conduct themselves and recognise the
much better value they get from those who seek election in order to achieve
things rather than simply to make a protest.
DE: The UK seems
set on an “in – out” referendum on EU membership. If the UK voted to leave I
believe it would be a disaster for Gibraltar. Do you believe there will be a
referendum and what will its likely outcome be?
Sir Graham: Having
Liberal Democrats in government in the UK has prevented there being a
referendum in this parliament. The Conservatives want one in the next. Much
will depend on whether they win the next election. Should the UK pull out of
the EU it would indeed have a huge impact on Gibraltar and would give grist to
the mill of the Castilian nationalists.
DE: As Gibraltar
is a member of the EU by virtue of the UK’s membership if the UK withdraws so
too will Gibraltar without having any say in the matter. However Gibraltar
unlike the UK is part of mainland Europe and its future lies within Europe. Is
there or could there be a mechanism for Gibraltar to have its own status within
the EU?
Sir Graham: There
is not, but Woodrow Wilson's doctrine of the right of peoples to self
determination has lost none of its validity. And the question of whether people
can be stripped of their rights as EU citizens through loss of that citizenship
against their will is indeed poignant.
