Douglas Alexander MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, responding to the Foreign Secretary’s failure to admit that he is committed to fighting for Britain to stay in Europe on this morning’s The Andrew Marr Show, said:

“Even William Hague can’t deny that after David Cameron’s defeat in Brussels, this Prime Minister’s chances of being able to deliver the needed reforms in Europe are fading.

“If he couldn’t stop the election of a not universally popular candidate as Commission President, how is he going to secure unanimous support for a fundamental redesign of Europe on an arbitrary timetable that other European governments just don’t accept.‎

“Today the CBI have warned that British exit would put Britain’s economic future at risk, but the Foreign Secretary is unable to offer any reassurance that he, or David Cameron, will heed their warnings.

“British businesses are worried that events this week are a foretaste of future failures for David Cameron, not just to stand up for Britain in Europe but also to stand up for businesses, jobs and growth in Britain.”