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MPs Split All Ways on Euro Referendum | August 26 2003 |
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There is no coherent body of opinion among British MPs about the timing of a referendum on the Euro, according to recent research by agency BPRI. Backbenchers are split down the middle over whether the timing depends on Chancellor Gordon Brown's five economic tests, and are deeply divided on whether or not next year might be a suitable time. 61% were favourable to joining the Euro at some stage, but there is very broad disagreement about when. Autumn 2004 was considered an inappropriate time by almost half of the MPs (49%) and with a further quarter saying 'don't know' this leaves only a quarter in favour. There was no consensus for any other particular time, but nor was there real support for making entry dependent on meeting preset criteria. Worryingly for the Chancellor, only eight per cent of MPs say Britain should join when all of the Treasury's five economic tests are met. Seemingly, the 'wait and see' attitude which characterised John Major's European policy is alive and well - MPs are refusing to be drawn while the mood of the public shifts and international events act as a spur or brake on the process of European integration. Any public communications campaign before a referendum will need to be very thorough to convince a cynical nation and even, it appears, to convince a majority of MPs that the time has come. BPRI analysed the views of 100 MPs to find out when would be the right time to hold the Euro referendum, weighting responses to represent the current composition of the House in terms of party split, length of service, gender and age. Postal surveys were initially sent to a panel of 135-140 MPs.
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