Can a Euro referendum be won? The Single Currency in the Press and Public opinion perspective

Résumé du document

The introduction of the single currency in Europe raises issues that are of vital importance to this country's interests. Irrespective of the participation of the United Kingdom in the single currency, it will affect us. There is a rather large debate going on in the United Kingdom to know whether or not the country should opt to join the single European currency, just as many other European countries have. There are two sides to this argument, both being very strong and convincing. Tony Blair's government is strong on its rhetorical commitment to Europe. "Labor has no hesitation in viewing the development of European co-operation and integration as having major political benefits," the Prime Minister said in November 2001.

Extraits

[...] must come off fence on euro, says Mandelson', The Guardian Denny, C. [...]

[...] These were influenced by Thatcher's view and now consider closer integration as a threat to the competitive position of Britain. But does this euro-scepticism really matter? Ahead of the 1997, both the Major and Blair teams tried to obtain the backing of the press to support their projects.[12] However, the academic and survey evidence is less influential than politicians or journalists would think.[13] Indeed, over time, newspapers can influence the debate, reinforcing trends, but cannot create them. One could argue that the government ability to convince the electorate of the need to join the Euro will be more effective than the press influence. [...]

[...] Bethan Rhys Roberts, BBC, LONDON ( 26.10 .2001) http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/news/words/business/011026 _witn.shtml Kellner, P. (1998). in Duff, A., ed. Understanding the Euro. London: Federal Trust, p Johnson, C. (1998). in Duff, A. ed. Understanding the Euro. London: Federal Trust, p.102 Cahen, D. (1998). L'Euro: Enjeux et modalités pratiques. Paris: Les Editions d'Organisation, p Islam, F. (2003). [...]

[...] This marked shift has been one of the main obstacles on the Blair government's decision over monetary union. Senior Ministers refer to the strong opposition of Rupert Murdoch's four News International titles, the Daily Mail group and Conrad Black's Telegraph papers as a serious obstacle to British participation.[2] Indeed, the British national press may sometimes be a burden for Blair's policy. For instance, the left-leaning newspaper the Guardian took note of Blair's waning enthusiasm for a campaign. "Politically, the sense that the choice about whether to join the is slipping down the agenda is unmistakable," the paper said in a recent editorial.[3] Though the has rebounded against the dollar and the pound in the foreign exchange markets, the ragged performance of the zone economy has undermined the case for joining. [...]

[...] "It won't give us a greater voice in Washington." In relation to the economic tests he argued: "The account will always be a balance of risks and opportunities." But with public opinion polls showing that a majority of Britons remain resolutely opposed to membership, and with the heated domestic debate over Iraq taking over the headlines, analysts say it is growing more likely that the government will decide that the has failed the tests. In that case, it is unlikely a referendum would be called during the current Parliament, which could run through 2006.[27] Bibliography Books Cahen, D. (1998). L'Euro: Enjeux et modalités pratiques. Paris: Les Editions d'Organisation, p Duff, A. (1998). Understanding the Euro. London: Federal Trust Miles, D. (1997). Temperton, P. ed. The Euro. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, pp. 93-106 Journals Islam, F. [...]