George Lyon MEP has been reselected at the top of the list in the Scottish Liberal Democrats’ European selections. Although the votes were counted last Thursday, the results were only announced this afternoon because of a delay in contacting one of the candidates.

Lyon attracted 80.7% of first preferences which will give him bragging rights over Sir Graham Watson in the South West who must have thought his total of 79% would not be beaten.

The full list is as follows:

1. George Lyon

2. Christine Jardine

3. Lisa Strachan

4. Richard Brodie

5. Jade Holden

George Lyon’s reselection was welcomed by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie, who said:

In the three years he has been an MEP, George has built up a considerable reputation amongst European decision makers.

He has led many of the negotiations on reform of the common agricultural policy and is currently arguing for reform of the European budget to make it more responsive to the needs of Member States.

He is Scotland’s liberal voice in Europe. I look forward to campaigning with George and our other hard working European candidates in the run up to the European elections in 2014.

George himself said that he was looking forward to leading the team into the 2014 election:

I  am delighted to have the opportunity to lead our excellent group of European candidates into the next election.

It has been a great privilege to serve as Scotland’s Liberal Democrat MEP since 2009. With the aftermath of the Eurozone crisis still being felt across Europe and key reforms taking place to the CAP and CFP, there has never been a more important time to have strong liberal voices at the heart of European decision making.

I look forward to campaigning across Scotland with our strong team of candidates as we continue to work for the best deal for Scotland.

* Caron Lindsay is Co-Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings