Blair prepares 'landmark' speech

Prime Minister Tony Blair travels to south Wales on Thursday, where he is expected to deliver a strong pro-Europe message.

But striking Welsh firefighters are likely to use the opportunity presented by his visit to Cardiff to voice their discontent.

Pro-European stance : Prime Minister Tony Blair

Mr Blair is reported to be preparing a landmark pro-European speech, calling for a stronger and more democratic European Union.

Such a message is likely to please supporters of the Euro who are looking for signs of an early entry into the single European currency.

Aides say he is determined to call a referendum before the next general election.

Later in the day, Mr Blair will attend a Labour Party fundraising engagement - and south Wales firefighters plan to take their arguments for more pay directly to him.

They have called on trade unionists to boycott the £100-a-head event.

Mr Blair's visit to Wales is expected to herald a turning point in attitudes to Europe.

Majority voting

He is tipped to call for the EU to take on more powers and to become a bigger force - but not a federal superstate.

He will argue that more majority voting will be needed to prevent gridlock in decision-making when the 15-nation bloc admits 10 new members in 2004.

The general theme of his speech will be that the EU should take on a bigger role by being "democratised rather than centralised".

And he will say that the way to ensure democratic legitimacy is not to hand more power to Brussels.

Firefighters are sceptical about pay talks

Instead, the roles of the European Council, which is composed of the leaders of the 15 EU members, and the Council of Ministers, which includes ministers from the member states, should be increased.

Mr Blair will call for the appointment of a powerful president of the European Council, who would become the EU's figurehead on the world stage and implement the decisions taken by the leaders.

He is expected to say the president would replace the current system where one country holds the presidency for six months.