Talking Tough For Britain

After a day's discussions with his European counterparts Mr Henderson, who had admitted on his flight to Brussels that he was daunted by the prospect of the meeting, said his message to our European partners was that it was time for a fresh start - less hostile than the Conservatives, but no pushover either.

The move has already been attacked by Tory MP Stephen Dorrell as "adding costs to British business, undermining British competitiveness and undermining the authority of Parliament."

However the Government, while insisting they will do nothing to jeopardise the national interest, say they are anxious, as Foreign Secretary Robin Cook put it, to "end the fruitless sterile confrontation of the past".

Talking to the BBC

For his part Mr Henderson has told BBC correspondent James Robbins that his mission is simple: he intends to make it clear "We're showing that we mean business as a new government. We going to Europe to talk to our European partners about the changes in the intergovernmental conference, and what's essential in British interests."

Mr Henderson said it was a "Fresh start, putting the unnecessary hostility between Britain and other nations behind us.. we will look at the issues really in Britain's interests and start negotiating in a tough way with our European partners."

European Reception

So how has the advent of a Labour Government been greeted by our European partners? Most have welcomed it but will their enthusiasm turn to disenchantment?

Guy De Vries

Guy de Vries is leader of the Liberal Group in the European Parliament, and a close friend and confidante of the Dutch Foreign Minister. He told the BBC that Britain had no need to be hostile to Brussels: "No-one wants a superstate, so Mr Blair has no need to shoot arrows at federalist conspirators lurking in Brussels corridors."

Mr de Vries said that many of Britain's European partners were looking forward to working with the new British government. "The big difference between the current government and it's predecesor is the huge majority that Labour enjoys." He said Labour would not be a "prisoner to it's nationalistic, europhobic, perhaps xenophobic wing in the same way as the Conservative party has become a hostage to that minority."

The key question for Europe, he said was to see if Labour would be "more flexible" and "perhaps allow a small inrease in majority voting so we can let in more member states."

He said Britain under Labour could "claw back some of the influence in Europe which it has lost due to the dogmatic attitude of the previous government... where last year the British government blocked 118 European decisions in the space of four weeks."

Meeting the German Minister

On his arrival in Brussels Mr Henderson's reception was very warm. The German minister Verner Hoya told the BBC he thought this could be a genuine fresh start, and that he welcomed the signals from Mr Henderson that Britain will sign the Social Chapter. He said he thought that symbolised a completely new agenda from Britain.

For himself, Mr Henderson has stuck to two key phrases: a 'Fresh Start' and 'Toughness with our partners'. Having been in the job of Minister for Europe for only a matter of hours, he is expected not to negotiate at this meeting, but more to express Britain's policy so that other nations know what to expect in the run up to the Amsterdam conference in six weeks time.

Tory Reaction

Brian Mawhinney

Although the Tory party are in a state of disarray after the election carnage of their senior ranks, key conservatives have mustered some comment on the Labour's steps towards Europe.

Brian Mawhinney, speaking on the BBC's World At One programme said Labour had every right, with such a convincing mandate from the people, to carry out the manifesto on which they were elected. "But" he said "that does not change our position that the Social chapter will deeply undermine Britain's ability to be competitive. It will be very damaging for this country, but clearly they are determined to go ahead."