UK quitting EU would be a disaster, says Labour Party

The UK Labour Party has hardened its opposition to leaving the European Union, drawing a dividing line with the Conservatives less than eight months before next year’s general election.

Labour’s spokesmen on finance and on foreign affairs, Ed Balls and Douglas Alexander respectively, used speeches to the party’s annual convention in Manchester, yesterday to stress the economic gains of remaining in the EU and warn the Tories against harming the national interest by exiting the bloc.

“We’re not going to earn our way to higher living standards by walking away from our biggest single market,” Mr Balls said. “Let us say loud and clear, walking away from Europe would be a disaster for British jobs and investment.”