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15/05/2003
Single currency decision expected on June 9
After months of uncertainty on the question of a single currency, the government made a decision today – to delay the final decision on the euro by three weeks to June 9.
Earlier today the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman set out the sequence for the euro decision, saying that 18 technical studies – which he described as "heavyweight in every sense of the word" – would be sent to Cabinet Ministers over the weekend. During the course of next week, the Prime Minister and Chancellor would have "joint trilateral discussions" with ministers, followed by an initial discussion at Cabinet on May 22.
Peripheral discussion would take place before a special Cabinet meeting on June 5 or June 6 for a final discussion on the euro as well as a discussion on wider European strategy. Gordon Brown would then relay the decision to the House of Commons on June 9.
The spokesman added that whatever the decision on June 9 – it was this government's final decision.
Labour is broadly in favour of the single currency, and Tony Blair has said that in principle he is in favour of joining the euro on the proviso that the economic conditions were right. Pro-Blair and pro-Europe, the Leader of the House John Reid poured more pressure on Chancellor Gordon Brown earlier this week when he said that it was a matter of "when not if".
However, the treasury does not consider its role as concerned merely with timing – Gordon Brown would prefer to be seen as the one who controls this weightiest of economic issues.
Nonetheless, the Prime Minister's spokesman stressed the point that no decision had been made and that the final decision would be one taken collectively by the Cabinet. However, it is unlikely that the Cabinet could do other than agree with the Chancellor – theirs may be a consultative role but it will not be decisive.
As, in a piece of diplomatic theatre, the spokesperson said that there was a "distinction between an assessment and a final decision" – insomuch as the Cabinet could be involved in an assessment, but that assessment may not be reflected in the final decision.
Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Matthew Taylor said the nature of the debate until now had been characterised by divisions and personal animosity between Blair and Brown.
“In 1997 the Chancellor said that the time of indecision was over. Indecision is all the Labour Government has offered ever since," he said.
“The Chancellor and Prime Minister are clearly at loggerheads, deeply divided over the Euro, and are leaving it to the last possible moment to make an announcement of ever more indecision.
“If the decision is meant to be based on the facts rather than the personal opinions of the Prime Minister and Chancellor, why don’t they publish the report and let the British people decide?”
(GMcG)
Earlier today the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman set out the sequence for the euro decision, saying that 18 technical studies – which he described as "heavyweight in every sense of the word" – would be sent to Cabinet Ministers over the weekend. During the course of next week, the Prime Minister and Chancellor would have "joint trilateral discussions" with ministers, followed by an initial discussion at Cabinet on May 22.
Peripheral discussion would take place before a special Cabinet meeting on June 5 or June 6 for a final discussion on the euro as well as a discussion on wider European strategy. Gordon Brown would then relay the decision to the House of Commons on June 9.
The spokesman added that whatever the decision on June 9 – it was this government's final decision.
Labour is broadly in favour of the single currency, and Tony Blair has said that in principle he is in favour of joining the euro on the proviso that the economic conditions were right. Pro-Blair and pro-Europe, the Leader of the House John Reid poured more pressure on Chancellor Gordon Brown earlier this week when he said that it was a matter of "when not if".
However, the treasury does not consider its role as concerned merely with timing – Gordon Brown would prefer to be seen as the one who controls this weightiest of economic issues.
Nonetheless, the Prime Minister's spokesman stressed the point that no decision had been made and that the final decision would be one taken collectively by the Cabinet. However, it is unlikely that the Cabinet could do other than agree with the Chancellor – theirs may be a consultative role but it will not be decisive.
As, in a piece of diplomatic theatre, the spokesperson said that there was a "distinction between an assessment and a final decision" – insomuch as the Cabinet could be involved in an assessment, but that assessment may not be reflected in the final decision.
Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Matthew Taylor said the nature of the debate until now had been characterised by divisions and personal animosity between Blair and Brown.
“In 1997 the Chancellor said that the time of indecision was over. Indecision is all the Labour Government has offered ever since," he said.
“The Chancellor and Prime Minister are clearly at loggerheads, deeply divided over the Euro, and are leaving it to the last possible moment to make an announcement of ever more indecision.
“If the decision is meant to be based on the facts rather than the personal opinions of the Prime Minister and Chancellor, why don’t they publish the report and let the British people decide?”
(GMcG)
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