By Martin Banks - 25th May 2009
I think you have to remember the strength of my parliamentary credentials
Diana Wallis
ALDE leadership contender Diana Wallis says that, if elected, she will bring a "totally different style" to the job.
She is, so far, the only confirmed candidate for the post held for the last seven years by Graham Watson.
Watson is standing down as leader at next month's election although he will remain as an MEP.
Wallis told this website that her comments were "not intended" as a criticism of Watson, one of the best-respected MEPs in parliament.
"In the past, we as a group have taken a mostly strategic role in parliament. But my aim would be to make the group a real political force at the centre of parliament," she declared.
If elected, Wallis would be the first female leader of her group since Simone Veil in the early 1980s.
The Briton said she was not deterred by the likely candidacy of former Belgian PM Guy Verhoftstadt, who is standing in the elections and is widely expected to declare his candidacy for the ALDE leadership.
She said, "He would, of course, be a very strong candidate but many people in the group have already expressed their support for me.
"I think you have to remember the strength of my parliamentary credentials. I have been an MEP for 10 years, headed my national delegation twice and am a former vice president of parliament."
Wallis also admitted that British MEPs face "an uphill task" in the coming elections in the wake of the expenses scandal sweeping British politics.
"It is hard going for all of us but I have to say that the reaction on the doorsteps for Liberal candidates like myself has not been as hostile as that of the other mainstream political parties."
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