The Guardian Labour has been privately pressing the French prime minister, Lionel Jospin, to delay or tone down a planned speech on the future of Europe, fearing that it will be reported as part of a Franco-German drive to further European integration. The speech is due to be given two or three days before the election. Millbank officials are deeply worried that Mr Jospin's vision of how Europe should develop will play directly into the Tories' hands as the Conservatives concentrate the final week of their campaign on an all-out drive to save the pound. The Conservatives have promised that they will set aside the last seven days of their election campaign to the issue of Europe and the single currency.
Labour is keen to keep the campaign focused on the economy and the public services.
Labour fears over the timing and content of Mr Jospin's speech comes as Tony Blair prepares to give his own speech on patriotism and the British identity at the end of the week. His speech will sharply contrast with Lady Thatcher's claim at a Tory rally in Plymouth last night that British identity and history can only be protected by remaining apart from Europe and close to America. It will try to redefine the way we pursue our national interests and argue that there is no inconsistency between patriotism and being pro-European. We have to come to terms with the fact that we have to work in partnership with others, both in Europe and elsewhere. The speech is seen by some officials as potentially the most difficult of the six big speeches Mr Blair has planned to form the intellectual spine of his election campaign.