If the European Union is to enjoy a prosperous future, it must demonstrate that it can improve the lives of the half billion citizens of its 27 member states. To this end, the package of initiatives unveiled this week by the European Commission to modernise the European single market offers considerable hope.

With the slogan of putting “consumers and small businesses first”, José Manuel Barroso, Commission president, aims to build on the single market’s existing achievements and widen its appeal.