Hague accuses Blair of leading Britain towards federal superstate

William Hague clashed bitterly with the Prime Minister over Europe yesterday, claiming Mr Blair's support for a European superpower would ultimately lead to a federal superstate and Britain losing its independence.

William Hague clashed bitterly with the Prime Minister over Europe yesterday, claiming Mr Blair's support for a European superpower would ultimately lead to a federal superstate and Britain losing its independence.

However, Mr Blair insisted during question time exchanges that Britain could make a "real impact" in international talks as part of the EU, which it could not on its own.

He rejected Mr Hague's assertion that the German foreign minister, Joschka Fischer, spoke for the rest of Europe when he called for an elected EU president.

Mr Hague said Labour's European policy would lead to "the end of Britain's independence" and was "a disaster in the making".

"You said on Monday that you wanted Europe to be a superpower. Can you name a superpower, at any time in the history of the world, that hasn't had its own currency, its on taxes, its own army and its own government?"

Mr Blair replied: "I could also not name another institution like the European Union, which is precisely why it is a unique union of member states, which are nation states coming together to exercise more power than they can alone.

"If you want an example of Europe as a superpower, look at trade negotiations. We are not able, as the UK, to make a real impact in world trade, but we are as the European Union.

"Mr Fischer has his view: he wants a European federal superstate, that is true," Mr Blair said. "So what is the response of members Opposite? To hitch up their skirts, go to the sidelines and say: 'Get on with the debate and have nothing to do with it'.

"What we should do is enter into that debate and say why we are against the superstate and in favour of more co-operation. The idea that we have no support for that position is absurd."

Mr Hague told the Prime Minister: "You say there is a difference between a superstate and a superpower, but there is no example in history to support you.

"Those who favour a superstate have taken support from your words. The truth is that you want Europe to be a superpower, when the only possible result of such a policy is the creation of a superstate and the end of Britain's independence."

* During earlier exchanges, Mr Blair admitted that he personally insisted the Dome project should proceed. "It is certainly true that I said that it should proceed," he said.

But he said that funding for the Dome, its financial management, the building design and site were all agreed under the Tories.