Few politicians are good at taking the high ground and throwing themselves off it.

Having viewed Europe as an extension and projection of itself, France now finds Europe developing a mind and identity of its own which embraces France but is not controlled by France.

For too long, decisions have been taken behind closed doors - tablets of stone have simply been past down to people without bothering to involve people, listen to their views or give them information about what we are doing and why.

I do not share the half-in, half-out attitude to the EU of some in Britain. Britain's place is in Europe.

They want to derail peace because they want to plunge Northern Ireland back into armed conflict.

I understand why the Tories will be gunning for Alastair Campbell because they fear his campaigning skills.

Of course, the EU is not going to fall apart, but at best it will stagnate for the foreseeable future and we will be dealing with quite a lot of internal chaos.