Responding to David Cameron's speech this morning on Britain's place in Europe, Guy Verhofstadt said:

"By holding out the prospect of renegotiating the terms of Britain's membership of the European Union and subjecting it to a referendum, David Cameron is playing with fire. He can control neither the timing nor the outcome of the negotiations and in so doing is raising false expectations that can never be met."

"His speech was full of inconsistencies, displaying a degree of ignorance about how the EU works. He claims to want a common set of rules for the Single market at the same time as wanting exceptions for Britain. He wants a Single Market Council to focus on raising competitiveness, but we already have one. He claims that Europe just offers more of the same and never changes but the EU is constantly changing. It is the Conservative's 'conservative' attitude to Europe that perhaps needs to change and recognise that in the 21st century Member States wield greater influence by sticking and acting together."

"There can be no question of individual renegotiation or opt out by a single Member State from agreed policies. To do so, would precipitate the unraveling of the Internal Market as other countries seek their own concessions in return. Cameron will not succeed if he attempts to hold his European partners to ransom."

"The real problem for Cameron is the internal rift within his own party. He seems to be jeopardising the interests of his country for internal party stability. Britain has suffered over the years from the chronic failure of politicians to make a positive case for Europe and counter the untruths in much of the populist press.

"The one positive effect of today's speech is the genuine debate that is finally taking place about the EU and Britain's place in it."