The Independent, 02 August 2007
Time to build closer links with Europe
Sir: Relations with the rest of Europe are certainly a big item on the in-tray of Gordon Brown (Steve Richards; "Forget George Bush and America - the big foreign policy challenge for Brown is Europe", 31 July). The fact that he has already signalled his willingness to work with our continental partners by meeting with the German Chancellor and the French President in his first few weeks in office illustrates the importance of European cooperation. Moreover some of the wider economic and cultural trends are pushing the UK towards closer links and integration with the rest of Europe. This is particularly ironic at this time when the Eurosceptics make a lot of noise about the Reform Treaty.
More British people than ever before are studying in, visiting and doing business on the continent. Last year 53 million visits were made by British nationals to the rest of Europe. There are now 750,000 British properties in Spain and half a million in France. Over 750,000 British companies trade with the continent. As someone who established his political reputation on the economy, Gordon Brown will not be blind to the power and importance of these economic trends.
ROLAND RUDD
CHAIRMAN BUSINESS FOR NEW EUROPE LONDON EC2