http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/10/14/weu14.xml&sSheet=/portal/2005/10/14/ixportal.htmlThe Brussels official charged with selling the European Union to voters said yesterday it had - to date - been the creation of a "small elite" and failed to connect with the public.
Margot Wallstrom, the European Commission's vice-president for communication, said: "This has been a project for a small elite, a political elite. That has worked - until now."
The Swede continued in the same confessional vein as she launched a commission campaign to improve Europe's image after this year's No votes in France and Holland on the draft EU constitution. "Has it ever been alive, European democracy? That is a very good question," she said.
Mrs Wallstrom, a devoted European federalist, unveiled plans to set up national debates across Europe on what citizens want from the union. Commissioners and senior EU officials are to travel the continent debating students, young people, politicians, trades unions, academics and business groups.