MEP to bring EU bigwigs to Bristol

1.24.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 19th Jun 2009

SW MEP Graham Watson hosts in Bristol next week a meeting of prominent members of the Group he leads in the European Parliament. Three former prime ministers, countless former Ministers and European Commissioners will gather in the city on Tuesday 23 June 2009, at the Thistle Grand Hotel for three days of talks about the EU's direction over the next five years.

"This will be my last meeting as parliamentary Leader of the EU Liberals and Democrats", the MEP said, referring to his decision announced over a year ago to step down after seven and a half years in the job. "I am pleased to be able to bring my colleagues to my Constituency to show them a thriving city run by Liberal Democrats."

Council Leader Councillor Barbara Janke will join the visitors for supper on the SS Great Britain on Wednesday night.

The 60 or more participants at the event are expected to bring up to £500,000 into the region's economy.