Among the striking epiphanies of the global economic crisis has been Gordon Brown’s discovery of Europe. In the long, albeit occasionally disrupted, tradition of British prime ministers, Mr Brown’s view of the European Union has hitherto hovered between disdain and contempt. No longer, it seems.

On Tuesday, Mr Brown is speaking to the European parliament. I am told that he accepted with alacrity the invitation to address parliamentarians of the 27 European Union states. Not too long ago he would have done almost anything to avoid the short hop from London to Strasbourg.