The success of the Liberal Democrats shows that there are now three major parties in Britain and that an honest and principled pro-European stance is rewarded by the voters, European Liberal Democrat leader Graham Watson MEP (Liberal Democrat/South West) said today.

Commenting on the performance of the Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament elections, who are expected to gain 12 seats in total, an increase of 2, Mr Watson said:

"For the Liberal Democrats to have held their own given the overall reduction of British seats in this election would have been a good result. But to increase our seats shows, in conjunction with our local election breakthrough into second place, that there are now three major political parties in Britain."

"Politics in Britain is polarising. The strength of the anti-Europeans is leading to renewed strength of the pro-Europeans. While Labour and the Conservatives are licking their wounds, Liberal Democrats have shown that an honest and principled pro-European stance is rewarded by the voters."

"As leader of the European Liberal Democrat group in the European Parliament, I am pleased that this success has been replicated across the European Union, leading to a stronger liberal presence in the European Parliament."