Gareth Thomas MP, Labour’s Shadow Europe Minister, responding to Boris Johnson’s suggestion that Britain would be better off if we quit Europe, said:

“Boris Johnson’s suggestion that Britain would be better off if we walked out of Europe is as worrying as it is revealing.

“The truth is that leaving the EU would be bad news for jobs, growth, and investment in Britain, and Boris Johnson’s remarks seem to have more to do with internal Conservative Party politics than Britain’s national interest.

“Of course Europe needs to change, but instead of shouting from the sidelines Boris Johnson should be championing reform and encouraging the Prime Minister to do the same.

“Labour has already set out five specific and achievable changes to make Europe work better for Britain, but so far, David Cameron has been unwilling or unable to set out any detailed EU reform plans of his own.”