Too often, the idea seemed to be that the cost of being part of Europe was being less like Britain. So after years of fighting to defend Europe against attacks from the Eurosceptic right, it would be fatal to retreat into the same arguments and begin the battle anew.
Douglas AlexanderIn an era of billion-person countries and trillion-pound economies, we need to find ways to amplify our voice. We are most likely to be heard when the Chinese negotiate with a £10 trillion E.U., not a £1.5 trillion Britain.
Douglas AlexanderChange is a process: future is a destination. People want a sense of hope, possibility and pride about Britain.
Douglas AlexanderBuilding the future holds more attraction than ancestor worship, whichever ancestor we're talking about.
Douglas AlexanderThe Government have consistently made it clear that the mechanism in the United Kingdom whereby the European draft constitutional treaty could be implemented is approval by the House of Commons followed by a referendum of the people of Britain. There is no question of implementing it by the back door.
Douglas Alexander