This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29684585

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Downing Street rejects Jose Manuel Barroso criticism Downing Street rejects Jose Manuel Barroso criticism
(35 minutes later)
Downing Street has rejected criticism from the outgoing European Commission president that Britain risks making an "historic mistake" if it leaves 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 said on Sunday, and repeated the message in a speech in London, that the UK would have "zero" influence if it decided to quit the EU.Jose Manuel Barroso said on Sunday, and repeated the message in a speech in London, that the UK would have "zero" influence if it decided to quit the EU.
But a No 10 source said Mr Barroso should know that the status quo was not acceptable to the UK.But a No 10 source said Mr Barroso should know that the status quo was not acceptable to the UK.
He said Britain needed to negotiate a better deal from the bloc.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'
Mr Barroso warned at the weekend that the prime minister's hopes of curbing EU immigration could be illegal.Mr Barroso warned at the weekend that the prime minister's hopes of curbing EU immigration could be illegal.
In a speech at think tank Chatham House, he repeated his view that an "arbitrary cap" on immigration would not accepted by other EU states, saying the EU was willing to "accommodate the UK's legitimate concerns" but not if they challenged the fundamental principles of the organisation.In a speech at think tank Chatham House, he repeated his view that an "arbitrary cap" on immigration would not accepted by other EU states, saying the EU was willing to "accommodate the UK's legitimate concerns" but not if they challenged the fundamental principles of the organisation.
Continued EU membership, he argued, was in the UK's economic, political and security interest and was also vital for a "united, open and strong Europe". Continued EU membership, he argued, was in the UK's economic, political and security interest and he urged pro-EU politicians to make the case more loudly for its benefits.
Mr Barroso said the UK was able to maximise its influence more effectively within the EU, suggesting all EU members "needed a little bit of help from their friends to get by".Mr Barroso said the UK was able to maximise its influence more effectively within the EU, suggesting all EU members "needed a little bit of help from their friends to get by".
He acknowledged that there were "widespread concerns in the UK and elsewhere about abuse of free movement rights".He acknowledged that there were "widespread concerns in the UK and elsewhere about abuse of free movement rights".
And he added: "The commission has always been ready to engage constructively in this discussion. But changes to these rules need all countries to agree.And he added: "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," he added."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 added.
While there would be further integration in future, Mr Barroso rejected suggestions there was "a relentless march towards a superstate" in the EU, saying he believed in a "ever closer union of the peoples of Europe acting as sovereign nations".While there would be further integration in future, Mr Barroso rejected suggestions there was "a relentless march towards a superstate" in the EU, saying he believed in a "ever closer union of the peoples of Europe acting as sovereign nations".
He warned against "counter-revolution" within the 28 member body, saying that for countries who "accept the rules of the club there will always be a place and equality of treatment".He warned against "counter-revolution" within the 28 member body, saying that for countries who "accept the rules of the club there will always be a place and equality of treatment".
In a question and answer session with journalists and business leaders, Mr Barroso said the UK had "many friends" in the EU but suggested it would be sensible to "keep them".In a question and answer session with journalists and business leaders, Mr Barroso said the UK had "many friends" in the EU but suggested it would be sensible to "keep them".
He challenged those who wanted to leave the EU to set out their alternative vision for the UK's future. "There are always alternatives but it would be a worse alternative," he said.He challenged those who wanted to leave the EU to set out their alternative vision for the UK's future. "There are always alternatives but it would be a worse alternative," he said.
And he dismissed criticism of him by Conservative chairman Grant Shapps as an "unelected bureaucrat".And he dismissed criticism of him by Conservative chairman Grant Shapps as an "unelected bureaucrat".
Mr Barroso said he had spent years in government before becoming EC president, had twice been elected as president by the elected members of the European Parliament and said the commission was created by member states not some "supernatural authority" - he added that he was not aware of who Mr Shapps was.Mr Barroso said he had spent years in government before becoming EC president, had twice been elected as president by the elected members of the European Parliament and said the commission was created by member states not some "supernatural authority" - he added that he was not aware of who Mr Shapps was.
'Less diplomatic''Less diplomatic'
The Downing Street source said Mr Cameron would listen to Mr Barroso's argument, but said that Britain needed to negotiate a better deal.The Downing Street source said Mr Cameron would listen to Mr Barroso's argument, but said that Britain needed to negotiate a better deal.
If concerns were addressed, he added, the EU "would be a very suitable place for us".If concerns were addressed, he added, the EU "would be a very suitable place for us".
He also described reports of proposals to cap the amount of national insurance numbers given to EU migrants as "fevered".He also described reports of proposals to cap the amount of 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. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said transitional immigration controls on new EU states needed to be beefed up in future to include self-employed workers.
But the Lib Dem leader added: "I believe in reform. I do not believe in exit. The Conservatives are embarked on a strategy which has only one final destination - which is leaving the EU altogether."
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.