Brighton - The British government was challenged yesterday to take centre-stage in Europe and embrace membership of a single currency.
Ms Pauline Green, leader of the Labour MEPs, told the party's annual conference that Mr Blair's government should "take the lead in shaping the future of Europe".
Delegates were also urged by the Portuguese Prime Minister, Mr Antonio Guterres, not just to climb aboard the EU train but to get into the engine room.
Ms Green said Labour's election had given EU socialists a majority of prime ministers. But "what goes with that predominance is the responsibility to make a difference."