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

In my experience of these things, parties which shout about dirty tricks and the like tend to do so because they fear a direct hit in some vulnerable part of their political anatomy.

I'm optimistic that we are actually seeing the opportunity of a generation being created in this.

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.

Europe has to address people's needs directly and reflect their priorities, not our own preoccupations.

In the space of a decade, China and India have emerged as dramatic, dynamic competitors.

If the constitutional treaty is rejected it will be back to square one, just at a time when we want Europe to be a more effective force for good in the world, when we need to buttress ourselves against the pressures and insecurities of globalization.