Blair's speech to Euro Parliament

Below are the main points of the speech UK Prime Minister Tony Blair delivered to the European Parliament on June 23.

The issue is not between 'free market' and 'social Europe'.

This is a Union of values, of solidarity between nations and people, of not just a common market in which we trade but a common political space in which we live as citizens;

The desire of those who want change in Europe should not be seen as a betrayal of the European ideal.

Only by change will Europe recover its strength, its relevance, its idealism and therefore its support among the people

"I am a passionate pro-European. I always have been."

The (rejection of the) Constitution became merely the vehicle for the people to register a wider and deeper discontent with the state of affairs in Europe.

People in Europe are posing hard questions to us. They worry about globalisation, job security, pensions and living standards.

It is time to give ourselves a reality check. "The people are blowing the trumpets round the city walls. Are we listening?"

"I am the only British leader who has ever said I would put the rebate on the table. I never said we should end the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) now or negotiate it overnight... (but if we do not start now) it would be 2014 before any fundamental change is agreed."

We must modernise our social model. "What type of social model is it that has 20 million unemployed in Europe, productivity rates falling behind those of the USA, that is allowing more science graduates to be produced by India than by Europe?"

Let the Budget reflect the new realities Europe faces.

Implement the Lisbon Agenda.

Europe needs serious economic reform if it hopes to grow.

Let us confront crime, security and immigration purposefully.

Crime is now crossing borders more easily than before. Migration has doubled in the past 20 years. Much of it is healthy but it must be managed.

Implement the EU action plan on counter-terrorism, which has a huge potential of improving law enforcement.

We should be agreeing on practical measures to enhance European Defence capabilities. The numbers in European armies and the military expenditure do not really answer the strategic needs of today.

Do not stop enlargement: it will not save one job, keep one firm in business, prevent one delocalisation.

The British Presidency intends to go on with enlargement.

In our presidency we will... conduct this debate about the future of Europe in an open, inclusive way. "Only one thing I ask: don't let us kid ourselves that this debate is unnecessary."

"The people of Europe are speaking to us. They are posing the questions. They are wanting our leadership. It is time we gave it to them."