This is a small extract from an article in Euobserver.com.

"In a world where states and the interests of their citizens are so obviously independent, we need to re-think our attitudes to concepts like independence and sovereignty." "In today's world," he added, "by sharing sovereignty, a people may end up with more, not less, independence of action, more not less internal self-government and more, not less, control over their lives.

Mr Blair and his ministers believe the new world alliances forged in the past two months can help them to demolish claims by eurosceptics that further integration and joining the single currency would undermine British sovereignty, which would be a critical issue during a referendum campaign on joining the euro, reports the Independent.

Mr Straw insists: "The EU does not threaten our independence, our sovereignty or our identity Rather, in today's world, more interdependent than it ever has been, the EU provides the surest guarantee that our voice will be heard in the world.

9 out of 10 for bilge.