The Euro

[whotheheckami]

Not the most scintillating subject but:

Do you think Gordon Brown was right to postpone the decision to offer the electorate a referendum on Britain adopting the euro?

Comments

Re:

[whotheheckami.livejournal.com]

It will certainly be a different organisation and I do have concerns that "absorbing" the Eastern European Nations will have a similar impact on the Eurozone economy as Reunification has had on the German economy.

Mendi is probably better qualifed to talk about how the changed to the Common Agricultural Policy are likely to impact farmers within the UK, other EU countries and the new member states.

>>As for Turkey, we can only imagine
Just wait until the North African States try and join!

Europe faces tremendous challenges over the next few years and on into the rest of the century. But I fervently believe that I want my elected representatives to be part of the team meeting those challenges as opposed to the team sitting on the fringe and hurling rocks at any changes.

[lostcarpark.livejournal.com]

The integration of Eastern Europe into the EU will be a tremendous challenge, but it is also a fantastic opportunity. Wealthier states will have to do a certain amount of propping up of the poorer economies, but I don't think anyone is suggesting those countries join the Euro until they reach the point where they meet the criteria set out under the stability pact.

I think it might have been wiser to bring the new countries on board in several blocks over several years, but the sooner they are part of the union, the sooner we can begin to help them to grow their economies.

Turkey will certainly present a challenge, but that is still some way off - they are not one of the ten countrues who wil be joining next May. However, it's interesting to see how Turkey were suddenly willing to resolve their old conflict with Greece over Cyprus. We can only hope that EU enlargement will continue to give disagreeing nations the incentive to resolve their disputes.

But that could be just wishful thinking on my part.

Re:

[whotheheckami.livejournal.com]

You must come round and play Europa 2050 with us. We bought this simulation game about Europe unifying in the 100 years after the second world war and have never played it

[lostcarpark.livejournal.com]

Sounds fun. Maybe when I'm over for the Robert Rankin book launch in August.

Re:

[whotheheckami.livejournal.com]

Let us know - there's always room