Defeated rival Martin says victor will be ‘strong’ leader

Date: 17/01/02

By Martin Banks

DEFEATED Socialist candidate, David Martin said the election had produced two winners - Pat Cox and the European Parliament itself.

The poll was widely recognised as being the first genuinely open election for the presidency that the Parliament has held in its history and resulted in a much closer contest than had been expected.

Afterwards, Martin paid a dignified tribute to the victor, saying: 'I am sure Cox will make a fine and strong president, robustly defending the Parliament externally and pushing ahead with internal reform.

'I commend him on his campaign and look forward to working with him.'

The Scot said the election was contested 'keenly but fairly' and claimed it could only improve the image of the Parliament, giving it greater legitimacy in the eyes of the public.

'We wanted to throw open the windows and let in the light of public scrutiny. This hard-fought presidential election has been another step forward to achieving that goal,' he added.

Jens-Peter Bonde, the Danish anti-integrationist, who won strong support from within small party groups and, it is thought, some dissident British Conservatives, said: 'I am delighted with my performance.

'During the campaign, I got some important concessions from Cox, particularly on the need for greater transparency and for all members to be treated equally.'

David Martin, the defeated Socialist candidate in the European Parliament presidential elections, has congratulated Pat Cox on his victory and said that the first genuinely open election for the Parliament's president will help to improve the image and legitimacy of the institution.