The Euro Debate         

Tony Blair will call a UK referendum on the EU constitution - according to news reports. However, a referendum on the euro still seems unlikely anytime soon. Gordon Brown, the UK finance minister, made a statement to the British parliament on 9th June 2003. He ruled out any early referendum on the euro or early entry for the UK into the eurozone. Mr Brown said that only one of his five tests had been passed. Convergence of the UK economy with the economies in Euroland had not been achieved. In fact, the UK economy was experiencing some stumbling economic growth in 2003 while Euroland was experiencing little or no growth. Huge amounts of variable interest housing debt has beeen added in the UK in recent years implying that the UK economy is even further away from convergence than it was in earlier years.

Post your views to the Euro Debate Forum Blair calls referendum on EU constitution Could the eurozone disintegrate? Gordon Brown rules out early euro entry in 2003 Gordon Brown adds extra hurdles Alan Walters predicts the euro will collapse The history of the sterling exchange rate How to decide - part 1 How to decide - part 2 The view from the City Balls on the euro Rupert Murdoch will fight euro entry Polling results on the euro George Soros says Britain should join the euro The German economy falters inside the euro Comment: Why a euro referendum is unlikely Exchange rates for the euro Euro-notes How can I get the � sign on my computer? UK politics The Internet Forum