Chris Davies MEP

Chris Davies has represented the North West of England in the European Parliament since 1999, and serves as the only Liberal Democrat amongst the region’s 8 MEPs. He has been his party’s environment spokesman in Brussels throughout this time. Currently he is team leader (‘coordinator’) on the Environment Committee for the 84-strong European Liberal Democrat (ALDE) Group of MEPs.
He has concentrated particularly on climate change issues, and is recognised as having particular knowledge of carbon capture and storage technology. Chris was rapporteur for the ‘CCS Directive’ in 2008, and played a key role in introducing the principal funding mechanism used to support development of CCS demonstration projects. However, he has also been closely involved in the shaping of legislation dealing with emissions from vehicles, chemicals, waste, and the pollution of air and water. Within the Parliament he also campaigns for policies to promote sustainable fisheries and to protect biodiversity. He insists that MEPs should be transparent in all matters relating to finance and expenses.

Chris has been outspoken in his condemnation of the occupation of Palestinian land by Israel, and of the human rights abuses and injustice practised by that country. He was the only British politician to gain access to Gaza during the Israeli onslaught in January 2009.

On social issues he campaigns in favour of making medically assisted suicide legal, and takes a libertarian position with regard to drugs policies. In 2002 he was found guilty in Manchester Crown Court of possession of cannabis having taken part in a demonstration in favour of drugs law reform. He has never used an illegal drug.

When free from injury he is a competitive fell runner and takes part in a number of ultra distance events each year.