UK 'closer than ever to joining euro'
Monday, 1 December 2008
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The UK is "closer" to joining the Euro than ever before, according to European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso.
He said some British politicians were considering signing up to the currency in a bid to beat the effects of the global economic crisis.
He told French radio station RTL: "We are now closer than ever before.
"I'm not going to break the confidentiality of certain conversations, but some British politicians have already told me, 'If we had the euro, we would have been better off'."
But he admitted the majority of people in the UK were still opposed to the idea of joining the single currency.
"I don't mean this will happen tomorrow, I know that the majority (of British people) are still opposed, but there is a period of consideration underway and the people which matter in Britain are currently thinking about it."
A Downing Street spokesman said: "We have no comment on this. Our position on the euro is the same - it has not changed."
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If the UK joined the Euro it would make a great case for the Euro to overturn the US Dollar as the World Currency. The U.S. has done a terrible job of managing their economy and has a runaway deficit which will never be paid off. They no longer deserve to have the world currency and the benefits that go with it.
Posted by Rick | 06.12.08, 23:54 GMT
Re 'Jackboot Nazism', I seem to remember the RoI having a referendum recently, the results of which displeased our continental friends. The outcome? Ignore that result and force another one and another one and (well you get the point) At least the French and Germans have got over their unfortunate 19th and 20th century penchant for invading the UK/British Isles when we disagree with them. I think Berthold Brecht wrote something about this. On 'biting the hand that feeds', the EU subsidy culture is corrosive generally and the concept of abandoning principle for mercenary cosiderations is abhorrent. Single currency, single constitution, single leader, single identity. Who shall we send east this time?
Posted by Dan Sweeney | 03.12.08, 10:36 GMT
Thanks Neal!!! It is a fact that the EU has pumped millions into the economy of Northern Ireland so why criticise the hand that feeds you?? What has happened to £? Just watch the cost of living rise again as we import most of our goods from outside the UK. A falling £ makes imports and thus the goods we need, including energy, more expensive. If we had joined the Euro we would not be so exposed to this situation. I think this point of view is much more constructive than you accusing me of "Jackboot Nazism", something I think the countries of the EU abhore. Including me!!
Posted by Michael Garrett | 02.12.08, 19:13 GMT
Who exactly is this arrogant oaf?
He is a non-entity as far as I am concerned, and has absolutely no right sticking his nose into the affairs of this country. We are perfectly ok with our British Pound Sterling, thanks very much. Keep your Euro - and your EU. for that matter!
Also as regards his unbelievable remark "the people which matter in Britain are currently thinking about it." Apart from the bad grammar, this guy shows his true colours and the true colours of his rotten EU. Jackboot Nazism. The ordinary people are not important, according to this moron. Our views dont matter - only "those WHICH really matter" are to be heard.
The man has lost his marbles. Why are none of our politicians not up in arms about these outrageous remarks?
Posted by Neal | 02.12.08, 05:08 GMT
keep sterling and forget the euro ,we have seen what has happened to our southern cousins ,they flock across the border to shop .michael comerford
Posted by michael comerford | 01.12.08, 22:44 GMT
Joining the euro will kill of the UK economy. Its been stronger over the years and will stay stronger than the euro. But if the economy dose take an even bigger dive than it has already and it will improve everyone's standard of living then I'm all for it.
Posted by Paul | 01.12.08, 21:42 GMT
And what has happened to the £ for the past few months against the Euro? It is an exchange rate favouring the Euro me thinks!! Honestly think we may have missed the boat!! One other thing - if it good enough for the Germans (Europe's biggest economy) and the French it must be good enough for the British or are we aloof from all things European? I wonder how much the EU has poured int the economies North and South of the border?
Posted by Michael Garrett | 01.12.08, 18:48 GMT
John the devaluation of the pound is being caused by there being a ERM style run on it. Countires are going bankrupt and requiring IMF bailouts. The pound is much more at risk than the Euro in this regard. The basic point is shopping is cheaper in the UK because the pound is being sold in favour of the dollar and euro on a massive scale. This is not necessarily a good thing for the UK!
When this depression is over there may not be a Euro, but the pound will go a long time before it!!!!!
Posted by Bren | 01.12.08, 17:47 GMT
In your dreams. By the time this depression is over there may not be a euro.
Posted by john | 01.12.08, 17:02 GMT
No thanks!
Posted by T J McClean | 01.12.08, 13:29 GMT
Michael, in the headline story in today's paper you will read about the huge influx of southeners crossing the border to shop in Northern Ireland. You will also read about a 30% price difference in some goods.
If this is not a clear indicarion of the wisdom our government showed in staying out of the Euro, I don't know what is.
Posted by Centaur | 01.12.08, 13:24 GMT
But if we had joined the Euro, where would we in Northern Ireland go to escape the rip off prices that our cousins accross the border come here to avoid? Irelands second city, Boston perhaps?
Friends in North Dublin, (consequently unfashionable and ignored) warned us that their bills had rocketed for normal shopping items when the RoI joined the Euro. Anyone for a £6.00 pint? Patriotism be damned, this is about economics and the euro has been a disater for consumers particularly in the less affluent bits of Greater Europe.
Posted by Dan Sweeney | 01.12.08, 11:23 GMT
The uk will eventually join the euro and this will have a huge impact in the North as prices will be harmoised with the South.The need for a merged all Ireland economy will be greater.
Posted by shane | 01.12.08, 11:22 GMT
Just thinking about it??? They should have set the wheels in motion in 1997 soon after getting elected!! It is one of the Government's biggest errors since not to have joined the euro!!
Posted by Michael Garrett | 01.12.08, 07:11 GMT