DESPITE the change of name, the new EU Reform Treaty is very close indeed to the former Constitutional Treaty.

I say this as someone who is pleased because I want Britain to be at the heart of a strong European Union.

It is true that Tony Blair secured opt-outs to ensure that British citizens will have fewer rights than their neighbours across the Channel.

He also retained the option not to co-operate with common policing policies intended, for example, to ensure that sex offenders are not abel to work with children in other countries. He claimed these were victories' for Britain but quite why escapes me.

The EU is sometimes little more than a negotiating mechanism that enables 27 countries with similar interests to work together.

The treaty makes scores of admin-istrative changes that should make it easier to reach decisions.

It does not go as I would wish, but then I want the EU to be able to stand tall in a world dominated by big players - USA, Russia, India and China.

I have never supported the holding of a referendum on the treaty and I will not now. Giving people a choice about being in' or out' of Europe has merit, but it is meaningless to ask them to decide on scores of detailed proposals.

How many feel able to judge for example, whether it is a good thing or not to extend qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers when determining "basic principles" for incentive measures to support Member State action excluding harmonisation?"

The Reform Treaty spells out the values that the EU seeks to promote, those of space, freedom, democracy, justice and the rule of law. I regard these as British values.

They provide a powerful reminder of the contribution we have made, and why it is very much in our interest to ensure that Britain works to make the EU an effective voice for good in the world.

CHRIS DAVIES, Liberal Democrat MEP for the North West.