Ex-aide tells Blair: Be honest on Europe

Tony Blair should be more honest with voters and admit Britain was handing "more and more" powers to Brussels, a former adviser to the Prime Minister said today.

Roger Liddle said the Government should also admit the new European Constitution was a "political project".

Mr Liddle, who now works for Peter Mandelson, said the public could see through "old arguments" that European membership was essential for jobs and the economy.

He told the Today Programme supporters talk about Europe as if "it's some sort of economic free trade area that doesn't threaten our sovereignty." He added: "I don't think that's credible ... Europe has always been a political project. I think politically we now want to move on to Europe being a much more credible and effective force for good in the world."

Mr Liddle said a no vote in the referendum on the constitution would be a disaster.

A spokesman for the Vote No campaign, said: "Politicians across Europe make it clear they see the constitution as a step towards a single country. Only our government try to pretend differently."

Mr Blair's official spokesman would not be drawn on Mr Liddle's remarks. "Roger Liddle no longer works at Downing Street," he said.