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Barroso: Pro-Europe Britons 'must defend EU membership' Downing Street rejects Jose Manuel Barroso criticism
(35 minutes later)
The outgoing European Commission president is to call on pro-European politicians in the UK to make a more positive case for staying in the EU. Downing Street has rejected criticism from the outgoing European Commission president that Britain risks making an "historic mistake" if it leaves the EU.
Jose Manuel Barroso is expected to say in a speech that he is worried no-one challenges the assumption UK and EU interests are opposed. Jose Manuel Barroso said on Sunday, ahead of a speech in London this morning, that the UK would have "zero" influence if it decided to quit the EU.
Mr Barroso has warned that David Cameron's hopes of curbing EU immigration could be illegal. But a No 10 source said Mr Barroso should be under no illusion that the status quo is not acceptable to the UK.
But a Downing Street source said the status quo was not acceptable. He said Britain needed to negotiate a better deal from the bloc.
The source also played down expectations Mr Cameron would make a major speech on EU immigration soon.The source also played down expectations Mr Cameron would make a major speech on EU immigration soon.
'Historic mistake''Historic mistake'
In a speech at think tank Chatham House, Mr Barroso will say the PM risks offending the UK's natural allies in eastern Europe. Mr Barroso warned at the weekend that the prime minister's hopes of curbing EU immigration could be illegal.
In his speech, he is expected to say he is worried that no-one is challenging the assumption UK and EU interests are opposed.
In a speech at think tank Chatham House, Mr Barroso will also say the PM risks offending the UK's natural allies in eastern Europe.
He will acknowledge that there are "widespread concerns in the UK and elsewhere about abuse of free movement rights".He will acknowledge that there are "widespread concerns in the UK and elsewhere about abuse of free movement rights".
And he will add: "The Commission has always been ready to engage constructively in this discussion. But changes to these rules need all countries to agree. And he will add: "The commission has always been ready to engage constructively in this discussion. But changes to these rules need all countries to agree.
"And it is an illusion to believe that space for dialogue can be created if the tone and substance of the arguments you put forward question the very principle at stake and offend fellow member states. "And it is an illusion to believe that space for dialogue can be created if the tone and substance of the arguments you put forward question the very principle at stake and offend fellow member states."
'Zero influence''Zero influence'
"It would be an historic mistake if on these issues Britain were to continue to alienate its natural allies in central and eastern Europe, when you were one of the strongest advocates for their accession.". "It would be an historic mistake if on these issues Britain were to continue to alienate its natural allies in central and eastern Europe, when you were one of the strongest advocates for their accession," he is set to add.
On Sunday, he warned the UK would have "zero" influence if it voted to leave the EU and would not be able to negotiate with the US and China "on an equal footing" on its own. The Downing Street source said Mr Cameron would listen to Mr Barroso's argument, but said that Britain needed to negotiate a better deal.
Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps reacted to those comments by describing Mr Barroso as an "unelected bureaucrat" and "out of touch". If concerns were addressed, he added, the EU "would be a very suitable place for us".
A Downing Street source said Mr Cameron would listen to Mr Barroso's argument, but that Britain needed to negotiate a better deal. He also described reports of proposals to cap the amount of national insurance numbers given to EU migrants as "fevered".
If concerns are addressed, he added, the EU "would be a very suitable place for us".
He also described reports of a cap on national insurance numbers given to EU migrants as "fevered".
Mr Cameron has said the relationship with the EU will be reformed ahead of an in/out referendum, to be held by the end of 2017, if he remains in office after next year's general election.Mr Cameron has said the relationship with the EU will be reformed ahead of an in/out referendum, to be held by the end of 2017, if he remains in office after next year's general election.
BBC Europe correspondent Chris Morris said: "As Jose Manuel Barroso prepares to leave the European Commission after 10 years at the helm, he is becoming a little less diplomatic in trying to make the case that Britain and the EU need each other.BBC Europe correspondent Chris Morris said: "As Jose Manuel Barroso prepares to leave the European Commission after 10 years at the helm, he is becoming a little less diplomatic in trying to make the case that Britain and the EU need each other.
"'It worries me,' an advance copy of his speech says, 'that so few politicians in the UK tell the facts as they actually are.' And he criticises what he calls negative and often false portrayals of the EU in many British newspapers.""'It worries me,' an advance copy of his speech says, 'that so few politicians in the UK tell the facts as they actually are.' And he criticises what he calls negative and often false portrayals of the EU in many British newspapers."
Mr Barroso's term of office ends this month and he will be replaced by Jean-Claude Juncker.Mr Barroso's term of office ends this month and he will be replaced by Jean-Claude Juncker.