Blair urged to deliver on his promises

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 26th Oct 2005

In the debate this afternoon on the informal summit of EU leaders taking place tomorrow at Hampton Court Palace, Graham Watson MEP, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament, will respond to Prime Minister Tony Blair's opening address with a strong message that the EU, and not least its politicians, must face up to the realities of globalisation.

On the question of Europe's social model, he will stress that: "There is no economic Shangri-La which can shield Europe from the demands of a globalising world. Let us not waste time debating the content of a single European social model. It does not exist, nor will it ever exist. Rather we should focus on issues of substance; adapting and modernising our economies, rising to the challenges presented by the likes of China and India yet providing social solidarity for those bereft of the benefits of open markets and freer trade".

Graham Watson will outline the leadership required from the UK Presidency to turn around public opinion on Europe during this reflection period on the Constitution and breathe life into the future budgetary framework. Regarding the EU's financial perspectives, he will call on the Prime Minister to: "Be honest and clear with your fellow Prime Ministers and your domestic critics that you will not seek to make savings from the EU budget by slashing the competitiveness agenda".

He will also ask the Prime Minister to respond specifically to the pressing need for transparency in the Council of Ministers. Liberal Democrat MEPs are urging the UK Presidency to change EU practices so that all EU law is made in public.