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.

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

Instead of saying that globalization is a fact, that it's inevitable, we've also got to demonstrate that while the growing interdependence of the world economy is indeed a fact, it's not uncontrollable.

It's a very good idea that we have a third term Labour government led by Tony Blair for a full term.

Essentially we need a new social consensus for economic reform as New Labour has achieved in Britain.

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.

I think Europe is going in the right direction and we shouldn't be set back.