'Is it time to ditch the pound?' poll results/discussion

Former_MSE_Lawrence

Poll between 05-12 Jan 2009:

Is it time to ditch the pound?

The pound's dropped like a stone against the dollar and the Euro. Is it time we moved our currency into part of a bigger one?

Should the UK join the Euro?

A. Yes - [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]31% (5242 votes)[/FONT]
B. No - [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]62% (10284 votes)[/FONT]
C. Don’t Know - [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]5% (889 votes)[/FONT]
D. Don’t Care - [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]2% (275 votes)[/FONT]

Voting has now closed, but you can still click 'post reply' to discuss below. Thanks

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DJFearRoss

amazing, the EU says it celebrates diversity and democracy, but all i see it doing is trying to make all countries the same and often without the common person even having a say. Strange how there is no EU rule to force a referendom on if we even want to be in the EU. What about our rights?

Whether we adopt the euro or not, it will not even be our choice....

Saucepot

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/simonheffer/4077187/Gordon-Brown-has-ruined-sterling-but-now-is-not-the-time-to-be-lured-into-the-euro.html

rickbonar

I think Gordon Brown has deliberately let the value of the pound slide in order to ease the yes to the Euro vote.

No Deal chum!

I think we should never ditch the pound and that it's high time they allowed us to vote on leaving Europe. That was originally part of the agreement when we joined the EU in 1974.

Europe has been nothing but trouble for the ordinary citizen in ALL countries, it simply is a way of businesses and companies ripping us off further.

Try buying more cigarettes and beer than the UK government "recommend".
Yet under the EU rules you're supposed to be able to take as much as you can use (which would a very large amount over a couple of years).

Out of Europe and ballocks to the Euro and all crap that comes from Brussels!

rickbonar

I wonder what would happen if you buy a tanker full of petrol at Belgium's tariff too?

The silly little customs and excise men would be there with SWAT teams the lot, yet a container full of Chinese or Aghan "refugees" happily directed to an asylum centre, what out so much as "anything to declare"
What did happen to the one that burned down at god knows how many millions that cost to build and re-build.

I like to tell you what I'd like to do with these "asylum centres" but knowing Comrade Brown and co I would be the one that was arrested.

teddyco

Do you want to see a guillotine in Picadilly? Do you want your children to sing La Marseillaise?
Britain should NEVER embrace that raggedy old Euro!

musicmonkey1

If we were to go in it would all be about getting the right rate of exchange.

Quite clearly 1€=1£ is the wrong rate of exchange. If you go to France at the moment and buy 3 coffees it will set you back about £10.00. The reason the pound is so low at the moment is because the world is really really impressed with the way Gordon Brown has managed our economy (not) and the crap rate is it's verdict on our prospects.

We could never consider going into the euro below £1=€1.40 - even then I wouldn't be keen because the Euro currency is built on a pillar of sand - Fiscal rules that all the member countries are supposed to comply with but cheat like mad to get round. (Just like Gordon Brown and his 'off balance sheet" PFI projects. )

Gordon Brown keeps saying the UK is in a strong position to weather the economic storm - I say look at the value of our currency - it tells you what the rest of the world thinks! Who do you believe?

David_Cd

Perhaps it's my natural optimism but I've always been keen on the EEC/EU. Despite this I don’t think now is the time to join the Euro. A weaker pound sterling is part of the necessary process to re-engineer the UK economy as well as UK personal spending patterns. The depreciation will better allow a greater emphasis on exports, a cutting back on imports, a boost for spending in this country (inc. tourism) and provide a penalty imposed on spending abroad.

Regarding the Lisbon Treaty I think the time has come for a referendum. If the treaty comes into force there are clauses that would make it extremely expensive for any member country to leave (I can't see it being possible). So time for a vote:

Yes - Lisbon Treaty
or
No - Leave the EU

EverAnglo

Ditch the pound ? NEVER ! Rather ditch the former chancellor and his useless government. The euro will be dead long before the pound.

teddyco

There is a lot to be said for SOVEREIGNTY! Wars have been started over nothing more than the issue of power or who governs who, and money was only a means to that end.

The American Colonists declared war on King George's England because they wanted the right to represent themselves without England telling them when to jump and how high.

We need to get past this idea that the Euro will make your holidays better because you won't have to stand in a queue to exchange currency, or taking a booze cruise and the ability to compare prices on the internet....those reasons are not only silly but dangerous when trying to determine which currency is best for the country.

This is about the British Government having the power and authority to raise or lower interest rates, increase or lower taxation, or manipulate the currency and its' value to make life better for families.

Now the value of the Pound is down.........so what! It'll go back up again in due time, but that's no reason to ditch the 700 year old Pound and swap it for one that is an infant while the European Union is in nappies.

arthur_dent_2

I think that in my opinion, if you read the facts and not the papers then the euro is a good idea.