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Pro-Europeans have criticised today’s statement
by Gordon Brown for not outlining a serious commitment to joining the
euro.
“Over the past six years, the government has made
no serious effort to lead public opinion on the subject of the euro. Britain
is now paying the price,” said Brendan Donnelly, chair of Federal
Union, the only British campaigning organisation that criticises the government
for not being pro-European enough.
“Along with other pro-Europeans, I am yet to be
convinced that the government is serious about joining the euro. The government
needs to make it “clear and unambiguous” that it intends to
join,” said Brendan Donnelly.
“No referendum on the euro in this country will
ever be won without a long and well-planned campaign beforehand to explain
the political and economic benefits of membership. It is not clear even
now that the government is ready to do this.”
“The Prime Minister says that he intends to lead
a national debate on Europe. This is no more than the same promise he
made when launching the Britain in Europe campaign in 1999.”
“The pro-European campaign needs a new start, not
the same old discredited rhetoric.”
Gordon Brown has erected another huge barrier to British
membership of the single currency. It is optimistic indeed to believe
that the British housing market will be fundamentally transformed by the
time of the budget next year.
“Every A-level student knows that you can’t
pass tests without preparing for them properly,” said Brendan Donnelly,
Chair of Federal Union. “The government has not yet shown that it
is serious.”
ends
Notes to editors
1. Federal Union is Britain’s campaign for a united
and democratic Europe. It is the only campaigning organisation in this
country which criticises the government for not being pro-European enough.
It was founded in 1938. Its website is www.federalunion.org.uk.
2. For more details, contact Brendan Donnelly on 07956
379129 or Richard Laming on 07785 784467.
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