Small beginnings
If London has a reputation for fog (it isn’t true) then Brussels has a reputation for rain (it is). Yesterday in Brussels David Cameron and the Czech Prime Minister launched the Movement for European Reform. We cheerfully filled a Eurostar carriage with business people, academics and politicians.
David cited two huge challenges for Europe – what global competition is doing to the long term prosperity of Europe; environment and climate change, and global poverty – all of which interconnect. He also talked about reversing and bringing back powers to member states, as in social and employment legislation. Meanwhile, some European politicians are still trying to create a constitutional structure which really has nothing to do with these issues.
It was an upbeat and optimistic occasion, with some excellent panel discussions. Everybody talks of the need for reform, at least now the stepping stones to this have been clearly laid out. We cannot simply wish the European Union away, as some would do. We can however, begin to talk about the real problems and opportunities which challenge us in Europe in the twenty first century, and show the leadership which has been sorely lacking from this Government.