The Debate Gets Underway, and I'm watching the BBC closely. The pro-Europeans are not impressed with the platform that they're working from, so the initial press, even from the BBC has been fairly negative, as far as I have seen. The Guardian is particularly sulky that they're going to be running uphill for the next 18 months until the referendum on the EU Constitution takes place:

'Hemmed in by failure abroad and by difficulty at home, beset by falling ratings, party revolts and increasingly independent colleagues - to say nothing of an increasingly aggressive press - Blair has shown little appetite for a demarche on Europe until now. If yesterday's Sun/YouGov poll is a reliable guide, it is easy to see why: only 16% of the nation currently says they will vote yes. There is no polling evidence of any significance that suggests this is likely to change significantly.'

What they scarcely begin to look at is the fact that a reasonable showing for Blair in the Euro-elections and a victory in the General Election might create the exact kind of momentum that is needed to get a result for the Euro Constitution. If you don't like the idea of the Constitution they can afford to let you enjoy Blair's discomfort and this moment when the Euro-project seems almost within your power to reverse. They can afford it because it's all part of the cost-benefits calculation that their dear Leader has swallowed his pride to make.