AS he takes part in the first full meeting of EU leaders since the election, Tony Blair will probably bask in the same sort of warm reception that his ministers who have preceded him to Europe have received.

But the fact is that the EU and, indeed, the British electorate cannot be sure of New Labour's attitude to Europe The EU integrationists may today be dazzled by Mr Blair's smile that signals the end of the UK's "opt-out" image, but does it mask much of the caution that his predecessor had for Europe?

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