MOSCOW, October 20 (RIA Novosti) - British authorities have dismissed criticism from European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso about the United Kingdom's intention to leave the European Union as the country wants better conditions within the bloc, the BBC reported Monday.
The broadcaster cited an unnamed source in the British government who said that Barroso should understand that the status quo was unacceptable for the country, and the United Kingdom needed to negotiate a better deal from the European Union.
The source stressed that UK Prime Minister David Cameron would listen to the European Commission president's argument but insisted that Britain needed better conditions to remain in the bloc.
He noted that if the country's concerns were addressed, the European Union might be a suitable place for the United Kingdom.
On October 19, Barroso said that, "Without the European Union, Britain will have less influence." He added that as part of the union, the United Kingdom could gain much more than if it remained outside the bloc.
Cameron promised to offer Britons an opportunity to decide on their future within the European Union in an in/out referendum by the end of 2017 should the Conservative Party win the country's general election in May. One of the main issues forcing the United Kingdom to consider leaving the bloc is said to be the level of immigration from other EU member states into the country.
