The voters of France are facing a momentous decision tomorrow in their referendum on the future of the European Union's constitutional treaty. As in 1992, when they voted narrowly in favour of the Maastricht treaty to launch a single European currency, the French have become, by design or by default, the nation that will determine the future progress of the EU. Once again, their decision is on a knife-edge.

For the sake of Europe, and for the sake of France, they should vote Yes to the treaty. Of course it is not perfect. It is a cumbersome, wordy and difficult document. There is something for everyone to find fault with. But it is a clear improvement on the present proliferation of treaties, pillars and procedures that make the EU too dense and distant from its citizens. It will provide rules for greater efficiency, democracy and transparency. It will give the 25 member states of the enlarged union a better framework within which to conduct the vital political debates on economic reform, social protection and international competitiveness that will determine Europe's future global role.