GETTY Tony Blair backed controversial plans for an EU army

FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again. We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

The former Prime Minister railed against those who view the ongoing eurozone crisis and current refugee crisis across Europe as the beginning of the end for the continent’s political union. Writing in Newsweek, the ex-Labour premier insisted “European unity has never been more important” with the EU “never more needed and never more in the interests of the countries that make up” the 28-member bloc.

Ahead of the upcoming in/out referendum on Britain’s EU membership, Mr Blair claimed now is a “moment for the countries of the EU to bind tighter together” as he hit out at those calling for Brexit and who are “forever-looking backward to break the union asunder”. Mr Blair warned the rise of new superpowers such as China and India means the “global order” is shifting away from the West and that if Britain wants “to play a role in global decision-making” it must remain tied to Europe.

GETTY The ex-PM said Brussels must have its own military force

I would argue that in the medium term, there will be a growing requirement for Europe to build defence capability. Tony Blair

The former Labour leader claimed any country with a population less than 100 million would have to use their “geographic relationships” to retain influence. Mr Blair also gave his full backing for controversial proposals to create an EU military force, controlled through Brussels. He wrote: “I would argue that in the medium term, there will be a growing requirement for Europe to build defence capability. “That force would not supplant NATO but would have the independent ability to take military action at times when Europe's security interests are threatened when the US may decide not to be involved.” During his 10-year spell in Downing Street, Mr Blair is claimed to have ordered a secret team of aides to prepare Britain for a referendum on entering the euro single currency despite the opposition of his Chancellor Gordon Brown. But, despite the current debt crisis strangling the eurozone, Mr Blair claimed “not many countries want their own currencies back”.