Former Belgian PM Guy Verhofstadt, in the running to lead the Liberals and Democrats group (ALDE) in the European Parliament, and his campaign manager UK Lib Dem MEP Andrew Duff make no secret of their desire to see a ‘federal Europe’. Andrew Duff has spoken and written on the subject over many years and is Chair of the European Federalists, and indeed Guy Verhofstadt has written on the need to create a ‘United States of Europe’. ( The United States of Europe by Guy Verhofstadt, 2006). Such Federalist credentials are impeccable and yet are starting to spook MEPs in the ALDE group. Today saw the first defection as the widely regarded Finnish MEP from the Liberal-linked Centre Party, Hannu Takkula, left ALDE to join the new UK Conservative-led grouping: the European Conservative and Reformist group. Last week saw the defection of the entire Italian ‘Democratici’ party to the Socialists. Such defections could be the first of many should Verhofstadt take over the leadership of ALDE. Most MEPs in the ALDE group consider that the voters’ verdicts in early June was at best ‘no further integration’ placing them at odds with the Verhofstadt and Duff line. Could the ALDE group fall into 4th place behind the Conservative and Reformist grouping? Unlikely it has to be said unless there are defections on a massive scale but it will be acutely embarrassing for Verhofstadt to see the departure of so many of his MEPs within days of gaining the leadership. His stance also makes it very difficult to recruit additional MEPs from other parties.
(Note: The Yorkshire Guidon is related to one of the other contenders in this contest)
