Although the term "superpower" is more offensive internationally than domestically, the report suggests that Blair and those behind him have done an in depth analysis of the atitudes and the pitfalls behind presenting a positive policy on Europe. Despite recent electoral reversals for Labour in Britain and for the Euro in Denmark, such a strong statement by Blair is remarkable, and is a signal of the economic fundamentals pushing capitalism towards a more closely integrated Europe over the coming ten years.
The report below suggests a careful and detailed government briefing.
Chris Burford
_________
Guardian
Saturday October 7, 2000
Tony Blair faced down Britain's Eurosceptics yesterday when he issued a provocative declaration that he wants the European Union to become a "superpower but not a superstate".
In the most pro-European speech of his premiership, Mr Blair sought to seize the centre ground of the intensifying debate about the future of the union by becoming the first EU leader to call for setting a firm date - 2004 - for candidates such as Poland to join up.
Speaking symbolically in Warsaw, the prime minister used his ambitious and wide-ranging address to set out a detailed agenda for ways to ensure that the EU is brought closer to its people while remaining firmly in the hands of the nation state.
The speech won praise from the European commission last night. Although its president, Romano Prodi, chose not to go on the record, senior officials said he had been surprised and pleased by the latest British contribution to the EU reform debate.
"This speech has gone down very well, particularly for its pro-European tone and commitment. It is being seen here as a very mature speech," said one eurocrat.
In response to recent heavyweight speeches by the French president, Jacques Chirac, and Joschka Fischer, Germany's foreign minister, Mr Blair tossed out a host of ideas - some old, some new, but all likely to be closely scrutinised in Brussels and EU capitals.
"Europe is a Europe of free, independent sovereign nations who chose to pool sovereignty in pursuit of their own interests and the common good, achieving more together than we can achieve alone," he declared.
The tone of the speech was positive and engaged and in striking contrast to the Tories' negative policy towards the EU.
"For Britain, being at the centre of influence in Europe is an indispensable part of influence, strength and power in the world," the prime minister told an audience at the Warsaw stock exchange. "We can choose not to be there, but no one should doubt the consequences of that choice and it is wildly unrealistic to pretend that those conse quences are not serious."
His call for setting a date for enlargement seizes the high ground in a process that is historically vital but hitting sluggishness and demoralisation.
"Supporting enlargement in principle but delaying in practice is no longer good enough," Mr Blair warned in what was seen as an implicit rebuke to France, current holder of the EU's rotating presidency, which has consistently refused to name a date, and Germany, where doubts are growing.
Mr Blair agreed that the power of the supranational EC - "Brussels" in popular shorthand - was sometimes "inconvenient". But he praised its role in running the single market. And he smartly avoided repeating the mistake made by Mr Chirac in his speech in Berlin last summer, when he failed to even mention it.
The prime minister issued a clear and carefully worded riposte to the call by the French leader for a "pioneer group" of member states. "I have no problem with greater flexibility or groups going forward to gether," Mr Blair said in a key passage. "But that must not lead to a hard core."
He also called for:
•A "statement of principles" or "charter of competences" about the division of labour between member states and supranational institutions. This is a reworking of a recent Tory proposal to introduce legislation at Westminster defining areas that would be protected from Brussels.
•An annual agenda setting out strategic objectives.
•A strengthened role for the EU council of ministers where governments cooperate.
•"Team" presidencies, instead of one country running the show every six months.
•A second chamber for the European parliament drawn from MPs from national parliaments. MEPs strongly dislike this proposal, which Mr Blair argued would increase the EU's democratic legitimacy.
The prime minister's speech was designed to hit back at Tory Eurosceptics and to demonstrate to Britain's European partners that the government is determined to play a central role in Europe. Downing Street has become alarmed by rising Euroscepticism in Britain which, ministers believe, can only be challenged by making the EU more accountable and bringing it close to people.
The prime minister believes that he cannot contemplate a referendum on the single currency until reforms have been introduced.