11^th January 2002: “Britain risk further isolation,” says pro-euro camp

Britain in Europe and the European Movement claim that Britain “risks further isolation” unless it adopts the euro. Their email cites the views of Minister for Europe, Peter Hain MP. His comments come as the Danish foreign minister, in spite of the Danes rejection of the euro in September 2000, and Swedish prime minister suggest that a euro referendum could be held within the next year in their respective countries.

11^th January 2002: Public demand more info about the euro

 Recent polls have showed that “People are desperately crying out for more information before they make a decision on the euro,” says the European Movement and Britain in Europe.

Apparently, in spite of the mountains of material available on the web, and in other types of media, two-thirds of the public are starved of information about the euro. The pro-euro camp insists that that “public hostility to the new currency is declining.” However, most polls show that over 70% of the electorate are against the single currency.

11^th January 2002: “No euro” lobby accused of spin and no debate

Both Britain in Europe and the European Movement claim that the anti-euro lobby, with reference to the ‘successful launch’ of the euro, is either against debating the issues surrounding the single currency or is incapable of doing so. Essentially the ‘No euro’ camp is accused of spin.

If the eurosceptics are really so incapable of debate though, I ask myself, where was the debate from the pro-euro camp during the launch of the euro? There didn’t seem to be much debate above the noise of the euro-party.

11^th January 2002: Other matters

• Business leaders and City experts call for euro decision
• Sun backs euro? Britain in Europe and the European Movement believe that Sun readers and the paper itself have “fallen in love with the euro.”
• ‘Flat Earthers’ get it wrong again

Headlines from previous emails:

4^th January 2002: Isolation and Double Whammies

• Isolated from the euro Britain’s prosperity is at risk: “The introduction of euro notes and coins across 12 countries in Europe marks a momentous change for Britain’s closest trading partners. However, with every day that passes Britain is paying a higher price for our exclusion from the new currency.
• British shoppers face double whammy: “British shoppers, already faced with prices 16 per cent above the euro-zone average, now have to cope with even higher prices when buying goods in euros because Britain is excluded from the new currency.

21^st December 2001: Ready, Steady Go!

• British retailers ready for the euro... “With just 11 days until 300 million people begin to spend euro cash in the high street, more and more retailers are recognising the commercial reality that they cannot afford to refuse the euro – including Dixons stores and JD Wetherspoon pubs, run by key supporters of Iain Duncan Smith’s “No” lobby, Sir Stanley Kalms and Tim Martin.”
• Euro coins hit the streets: “As starter packs of euro coins have gone on sale over the past week, the euro is becoming a reality for the 300 million people in the euro-zone.”
• ...and British managers call for euro referendum

• Laeken summit: “Progress was made in plans to reform the EU making it more open, democratic and accountable at the European Council summit meeting in Laeken this weekend.”

7^th December 2001: Ode for the cost of Christmas!

• British parents pay almost double for Christmas
• Public open-minded on the euro: “New figures show opposition to the euro falling with most members of the public open to persuasion. The poll is the third in recent weeks to show that the public believe in the modern world Britain can’t afford to go it alone – we’re better off in Europe.
• Northern Ireland Assembly vote on euro
• Pro-EU coalition breaks apart at New Europe: “New Europe have been plunged into crisis over the past few weeks. Set up by the infamous ‘Dr No’, David Owen, just over two years ago as a pro-European, anti-euro organisation, New Europe are now hand in glove with Business for Sterling as part of Iain Duncan Smith’s ‘No’ lobby. Several staff departures and pressure from their anti-European paymasters at Business for Sterling have put their future existence in doubt.”
• Anti-European honesty at last! “Lord Lamont has admitted it at last – anti-Europeans have got nothing better to do with their time than scaremonger.”

There were four other emails sent to EuroPolls by Britain in Europe and the European Movement, dating back to mid-October 2001. Please contact either group for more details by contacting, Wesley Ball info@britainineurope.org.uk or Chris Bradley briefings@euromove.org.uk

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News from The Democracy Movement

The Democracy Movement's
website has been updated.

http://www.democracymovement.org.uk

3rd December 2001

As a first step towards a comprehensive overhaul, a new front page is now in place which will carry regular updates of campaign news.

Click on the link above to support the DM's challenge to Europe Minister Peter Hain to take part in a genuine debate on the EU; request a copy of the latest issue of the DM's newsletter, Democracy News; order a free sample copy of the latest issue of international eurosceptic magazine These Tides and read about the latest issue of the Global Britain research pamphlet Eurofacts.

In addition, many more quotes by key people on both sides of the EU debate have been added to the 'Key Quotes' page, painting a devastating picture of where leading EU figures see the EU's final destination and the dangers their aims pose for Britain's democracy and prosperity. And the regularly updated headline news page still brings you the latest EU developments direct from the European Parliament through our news partner EUObserver.com, and is building into a comprehensive archive of progress towards the EU superstate.

We hope you will see many more changes to the site in the coming weeks - don't forget to check back regularly for the latest from the campaign to Keep the Pound and Stop the Superstate.

Euro launch special report: why Britain should keep the pound (3/01/02)

The DM hits back at the hype of the euro lobby following the introduction of euro notes and coins on 1st January. Read more on these new pages:

• 5 key reasons to keep the pound
• Euro currency means euro taxes
• Euro lobby: what they're saying & why they're wrong
• Inevitable? Don't believe the hype
• Britain: A global future
• Hit back at the hype - what you can do

Quote of the Week

This week's gem comes from Peter Hain, Minister for Europe, and is taken from his 1995 book 'Ayes to the Left'. Amazing how being offered a government job with your own chauffeur can change your views...

"The policy, legally enshrined in the Maastricht Treaty, of a European bank independent of democratic control and dedicated almost exclusively to price stability must be reversed. It is economically disastrous and politically dangerous.." - Peter Hain, Minister for Europe.

Read more on our website about the DM's on-going challenge to Peter Hain to take part in a genuine debate on the EU.

Essential reading

• Democracy Movement newsletter - Autumn 2001
• These Tides - the international eurosceptic magazine
• June Press - the June Press website offers a wide selection eurosceptic books and many special offers, for further reading on EU issues.

DM e-bulletins

Thank you to the many supporters who have sent us the names and e-mail or postal addresses of those who may like to hear more about the campaign to keep the pound.

The Democracy Movement now has over 250,000 registered supporters, but it's vital we continue to let as many people as possible hear the reasons why Britain should keep the pound.

For more information and news, please e-mail Stuart Coster.

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