Syed Kamall elected as chair of ECR group

London MEP Syed Kamall has been elected as leader of parliament's European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group.

By Kayleigh Rose Lewis

12 Jun 2014

Kamall, an active member of parliament's economic and monetary affairs committee, said, "I am proud to lead the ECR group - one of the EU's fastest growing political families."

The UK Conservative continued, "The ECR group has done well from these elections. When we were formed five years ago we were dismissed, but we have worked hard to gain a strong foothold here in Brussels and in Strasbourg.

"The agenda of EU reform is firmly established and we have delivered some significant successes in areas like the budget, fisheries and the flexibility within EU banking union."

Turning his attention to the future, Kamall said, "Now I want to build on those successes and see the ECR playing an active, pivotal and constructive role in the parliament to deliver our agenda of a more decentralised and flexible EU that focuses its efforts on economic reform, opening markets and providing opportunities for business and entrepreneurs.

"I look forward to working within our group and across the parliament to build a solid base to further reforms in the coming months and years ahead," he said, adding, "We will work with all those people who believe change for the better is possible in the EU."

Kamall also paid tribute to Martin Callanan, the departing chair who lost his seat in the European elections, saying, "Martin has been a strong supporter of the cause of European reform and eurorealism, and his hard work is a major part of the reason why the ECR is now growing and attracting new member parties."

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