It is a tragedy that Graham Watson has been ousted as our MEP, after 20 years of conscientious work on our behalf.

Except at election time, we never heard from our region’s other MEPs (three Tory and two Ukip), whereas Graham’s weekly newsletters were so packed with his activities – introducing wise legislation, chairing committees, securing benefits for us such as flood-relief funds – that one wondered whether he ever slept. He was the elected leader of the Liberal members of the whole European Parliament. He seemed to have to do his paperwork on board aeroplanes, and spent Fridays visiting communities all over the south west. Gibraltar was included in his constituency, and Gibraltarians so appreciated his championing of their rights that they gave him 60 per cent of their vote.

I don’t like the honours system, but if ever a public servant earned a knighthood it was Sir Graham Watson. If our new MEPs manage to work half as hard on our behalf as him, they will be doing very well.

Guy Ottewell Broad Street Lyme Regis