By Martin Banks - 30th January 2012
She was a coordinator on legal services in the old days, and that's good enough for most of us
British MEP
Parliamentary veteran Diana Wallis decided to step down as an MEP because she felt there 'no point' being in parliament if she did not hold a position of influence, it has been claimed.
Wallis, a vice-president in the first half of the current parliamentary mandate, shocked many MEPs when she decided to retire as a deputy within hours of finishing last in a three-way contest for parliament's presidency.
Many were bemused at the decision, coming so soon after her high-profile campaign for parliament's top job.
But, according to a well-placed source, Wallis, a UK ALDE member, allegedly told her Danish party colleague Anne Jensen some two weeks ago - before the presidency election - that there was 'no point' being in parliament if she did not hold a position of influence.
In the presidency contest earlier this month it is believed that Jensen voted for Nirj Deva, the ECR candidate. The prestige post was won by German Martin Schulz and Wallis was believed to be bitterly disappointed to poll fewer votes than Deva.
The UK Liberal Democrat delegation had an ALDE vice-president position at its disposal and had to choose last September between Wallis and Edward McMillan-Scott, who both represent Yorkshire and the Humber.
The delegation chose McMillan-Scott, a former Tory member, as its candidate for the post.
One British MEP was critical of Wallis' alleged reason for stepping down as an MEP, saying, "She was a coordinator on legal services in the old days, and that's good enough for most of us."
Meanwhile, Stewart Arnold, Wallis' husband, has decided not to take up her seat in parliament. He told this website last week that as number two on the party list he had 'ever right' to take the seat.
Arnold was second on the party's list in the Yorkshire ward at the last European elections and, under current rules, stood to replace Wallis when she formally steps down on 31 January.
But, following criticism that the move smacked of favouritism, he said he would not take the seat.
Fellow Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies quit as party whip in protest, accusing the pair of "nepotism".
A Lib Dem statement said, "After a full consideration, Stewart has made the decision not to take up the post."
Wallis cited health reasons as a "contributory" factor for her resignation, but said she chiefly wanted "a break from politics".
In declining to take his wife's seat Arnold referred to her illness on Friday saying he wants "to give her the support she needs".
The seat is now set to go to the Lib Dems' third-choice candidate, Rebecca Taylor, who said on Monday she would be "honoured" to take on the role.
McMillan-Scott declined to comment on Arnold's decision but said, "I send my best wishes to Diana and her family and pay tribute to her outstanding contribution as an MEP."
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