Guardian: Forget talk of France becoming our colony

GuardianForget talk of France becoming our colony

Europe faces a period of 'strisis' - a mixture of crisis and stasis - with no growth, no constitutional treaty and no leadership. The Old Europe of populism, protectionism, and nationalism is back with a bang. Nasty symptoms can be seen - the growth of extreme politics, the twin problem of mass unemployment and growing inequality, and the endless scape-goating of international bodies like the EU.

Five years ago, progressive politicians appeared to be in control. Blair, Schröder, Lionel Jospin (France), Massimo D'Alema (Italy), Wim Kok (Netherlands), Anders Fogh Rasmussen (Denmark) and other social democratic leaders working with the progressive Romano Prodi in Brussels drew up the Lisbon programme of economic renewal. But implementing it required serious reform of the way European economies and labour market policies are run.

In its short half century of existence, the EU has helped spread democracy, the rule of law, social rights, and prosperity as never before in Europe's 2,500 years of genocidal, war-filled history of hate between nations, religions and ideologies. Those who want to dig the EU's grave should be aware what might rise up from old coffins.

At some stage the Tories will get smart on Europe. Of the EU's 25 governments, 19 are under centre-right control. One day intelligent Conservatives will understand the salience of a modern pro-Europeanism. If Labour has not shaped a new approach of positive engagement, the Conservatives will overtake post-Blair Labour to occupy the broad centre ground which likes to mock Brussels, but will not vote for full Eurosceptic politics.