Labour Signal Shift In Policy Towards Europe, Douglas Alexander Calls For 'Fundamental Reform'

Labour Signal Shift In Policy Towards Europe

Labour has signalled a shift in their policy toward the European Union, with shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander calling for "fundamental reform within Europe”.

In an interview ahead of a speech on the topic on Monday, Alexander said there was a "significant risk" to British interests if Europe was not reformed.

He added: "There are genuine opportunities for Britain to extend its influence if we get the reform package right.”

“We need to be looking for what can be written down now to ensure that we have the protections that we need both protections in relation to, for example, the City, but also further progress in areas like the digital economy… value business services where Britain still as a great deal to offer, but we haven’t seen the completion of the single market that would serve Britain commercial interest in the future", he told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme.

Alexander will say in his speech that joining the euro is not on Labour's agenda and that Germany's attempts to change European treaties present a chance to protect the rights of European countries who are not in the eurozone.

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