EU Commissioner Peter Mandelson presents body's modern social agenda
24 Jun '05
4 min read
Peter Mandelson
I have always believed in a social dimension to Europe. My preoccupation has been that the Social Europe we build should be modern and forward looking, rather than stuck in the past.
The old European Social Model was built around the protection of existing jobs rather than the creation of new jobs. Today, many of these arrangements offend against social justice because they accentuate an insider/outsider divide, those lucky enough to have employment, others who want it.
When anti-Europeans in Britain say, “We like a free trade Europe but we don't want Brussels”, they gloriously contradict themselves in a single sentence. You can't have the Single Market without Brussels – end of story.
Concluding Remarks:
So let me conclude with this final point. Europe is faced with a huge choice about its destiny. Britain can help Europe make the right choice and by doing so, we will directly serve our own best interests. Let the great debate begin – but don't allow the Eurosceptics to mess up this golden opportunity.