As politicians we have to react to the fact that many people do not feel that they can relate to the EU.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
People feel that in too many ways the EU is something that is done to them, not something over which they have a say.
There is a growing frustration that the EU is seen as something that is done to people rather than acting on their behalf. And this is being intensified by the very solutions required to resolve the economic problems.
People feel that the EU is a one-way process, a great machine that sucks up decision-making from national parliaments to the European level until everything is decided by the EU. That needs to change.
Europe has to address people's needs directly and reflect their priorities, not our own preoccupations.
I do not share the half-in, half-out attitude to the EU of some in Britain. Britain's place is in Europe.
It does not seem to me that the steps which would be needed to make Britain - and others - more comfortable in their relationship in the European Union are inherently so outlandish or unreasonable.
The participation in European elections was always not very exciting. People are very interested in European issues, but they don't see the person who is representing Europe.
When people stand up and talk about the great success that the EU has been, I'm not sure anybody saying it really believes it themselves anymore.
Europe has a lot of strength. We need to pool that strength, and I am very much in favour of that - more of a deeper political union.
There have been major disagreements within the European Union.
No opposing quotes found.