That's why I believe in retaining the nation-state as the fundamental unit of sovereignty. Mr Blair will say that Britain should be involved in shaping the EU 's future. Britain should take its proper place as a leader of Europe. The two big parties have much in common on the broad questions discussed at the current inter-governmental conference on the EU 's future. Both support the enlargement of the EU to the east.
Labour is less keen on such flexibility, preferring all members to subscribe to the same goals.
Both argue that no EU states should be allowed to move ahead in any area without the consent of all members. Labour and the Conservatives do disagree about some institutional matters, though only cognoscenti will be able to spot the differences. Both would give large countries such as Britain more votes in the Council of Ministers. But Labour, unlike the Conservatives, would seek to open some of the council's proceedings to the public. Labour would extend majority voting to some social, environmental, industrial and regional policies that now require unanimous decision-making.