Real issue in Lisbon debate is if changes would work

THE EU as a world power is a phrase that is cropping up during the Lisbon treaty campaign.

Those on the no side make it sound like a plot to enslave nations while those in favour of the treaty can sound like out of touch idealists.

Two organisations launched attacks against the concept during the week. One of them, the Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA), is campaigning for voters to reject the treaty while the other, the British Taxpayers Alliance, would like to see Britain out of the EU altogether.