Douglas Alexander MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, responding to the EU summit in Brussels this afternoon, said:

“As European leaders meet in Brussels, there is no doubt that Europe now faces a significant reform moment that must be seized.

“But going into this vitally important EU meeting, David Cameron seems either unwilling or unable to set out what changes he wants to see at an EU level.

“Only days after the European elections, it is clear that Europe has to work better for Britain, but instead of building alliances with our European partners for reform, his party is proposing pacts with UKIP candidates and deals with fringe political parties in the European Parliament.

“It is not too late for David Cameron to change course and use this week’s EU meeting to set out a clear agenda for reform and build the necessary alliances to deliver it.”