PUBLIC MEETINGS

POUND OR EURO?

9 February 2001

Speakers: Don Foster MP (Liberal Democrat); Ashley Fox (Conservative PPC); Cllr Marilyn Hawkings (Labour PPC). [PPC = Prospective Parliamentary Candidate]

Chairman: David Gledhill, Editor, The Bath Chronicle.

It is widely expected that a General election will be held in May, but this was not intended to be a hustings meeting, although during the evening it developed into one.. Numerous organisations were represented besides the three main parties: the European Movement, the UK Independence Party, Charter 88 and the `Greens' all attended, and many of the audience participated.

The main speakers gave their opening views and the floor then asked questions or expressed opinions. There was a general view that adopting the euro or not would have a wide effect on the role of the UK within the European Union. It was agreed that joining would be a political rather than an economic decision, yet economic matters featured prominently in the discussion.

Cllr Marilyn Hawkings recognised that adopting the euro was at present opposed by a majority in the country, but the Government hoped that, by the time a referendum was held, perhaps in two years time, they would have won round those who were doubtful.

There was much inconclusive talk of the right time to join, and at what rate of exchange.

The widest division of opinion centred on the concept and importance of sovereignty. Mr Foster stressed his view that decisions should be taken at different appropriate levels, and welcomed the growth of power to the regions which would result. Mr Fox did not support this concept.

A final question was one that none of the panel could answer: `If we gave up the pound and adopted the euro, how could we reverse the decision if it proved to be to our disadvantage?'

It was interesting to see that a public meeting could attract 130 people holding widely different views, with consequent heckling of speakers. Evidently, the policy of BRLSI of providing a forum for such meetings, as we have done for local issues like Southgate and the Spa, is popular and worth continuing.

Rodney Tye