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Question: Now the EU reform treaty has been signed is it time for Europe to stop navel gazing and concentrate on wider issues?

Kinnock: I am very pleased that the treaty has been signed and we can now get on with the business of managing EU relationships better.

Clearly we have been through very difficult times but it was essential that these changes took place.

I wouldn't go round saying these changes are minor, they are significant changes and ones that needed to be made in terms of making the work of the European Union more manageable.

It is no threat to have someone responsible for foreign affairs and I think it will get rid of a lot of the confusion and the squabbles we have had in the past and that would have only got worse with more fingers in the pie.

I think we will have a lot more clarity and a lot more streamlining in the way things are done.

Question: You say significant changes but not significant enough to merit a referendum?

Kinnock: Absolutely not at all. These are treaty changes such as we've had before and the sooner we get this in place the better.

That's the decision of the huge majority of EU member states on the basis that this does not reflect any wish by Europe to have constitutional change - all of that was taken out.

All we have now is logistical and technical change which will facilitate more efficiency and professionalism by the institutions including the Parliament.

Our remit as a parliament will be much improved. What I am happiest about, and I fought for it before, is to get children's rights on a legal basis which will make our work with and for children much more effective on everything from trafficking, to refugee children, to abuse, to pornography on the internet to general children's rights as human beings not just appendages of their parents, so I am excited by that prospect.

In terms of European funding it will be much easier to work directly with children.

Question: Now that the institutional issues have been worked out what should the priorities be for the EU in the coming year?

Kinnock: In the coming year things will be settling in, there will be discussions on further enlargement, issues of how Europe works with the Charter of Human Rights.

On foreign policy issues I would like to see more clarity on Burma, more clarity on Darfur.

I would like to see a stronger European voice raised because we have values and principles and we must be seen in the next year to have more clarity and drive in making sure the perception of Europe is that we are big players and motivated by a commitment to freedom and all of those values that we stand for.

I'm not saying that we can be the saviour of the world but Europe is a major player.

In terms of trade I would like to see a real impetus behind the Doha round that would facilitate an opportunity to improve the trading relationships that Europe has with the rest of the world particularly the developing world.

On economic partnership agreements I feel they have done enormous damage to Europe's relationships with 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

Question: Gordon Brown has been heavily criticised in recent months - what's your assessment of how he's doing?

Kinnock: I think we would have chosen not to have had the difficulties we have had but I still think there is a lot trust for Gordon. He is a man of huge integrity and honesty and that is what people still feel.

Obviously we have had a very rocky patch and hopefully things will settle down and we can get on with getting the message across that a Labour government is committed to the welfare and well-being of the people of Britain.

Question: There have been reports that Alastair Campbell might have a role in helping Number 10 to turn things around. As someone close to him does that sound like a good idea?

Kinnock: I am doubtful about whether that would be the case either for him or for them. I think you don't go back there, everyone moves on, Alastair has moved on and I wouldn't imagine he'd do it.

He is deeply committed to a Labour government and if he was needed I'm sure he would do what he could but in terms of the kind of role that he had before I would not imagine that would be what he would want or that he would be invited to do.

Question: How do you feel about Labour being in coalition with Plaid Cymru in Wales?

Kinnock: I have huge concerns about that. I've not made any public statements of any kind but I do share deep unease about any kind of close governmental relationship with the nationalists in Wales.

I come from North Wales in a part of the country where the enemy are the nationalists and it is very hard one for me and my family.

And I know that in Neil's old constituency there are deep misgivings amongst the political leadership there as well.

I certainly don't wish anything other than the best for the people of Wales but I really am not comfortable with this arrangement.

Question: Given that the nationalists are in government in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast are you concerned about the future of the Union?

Kinnock: No. I would be very surprised that people in Wales went down the road that the Scots went down and I think there is much more of a sense of being part of the United Kingdom.

The Scots have always had more enthusiasm than we have had but if increased powers are suggested we would be having a referendum and then you would have some idea.

But it doesn't show in elections that they are enamoured. It certainly didn't show in the general election and they did not win in the assembly.

I don't fear for the Union and I think that we have structures in place now that seem to suit.

I would be very, very upset if that were to be the case that we split - I feel Welsh, I feel British, I feel European, I have multiple identities.