To be honest I've never looked at a pound coin and thought "Yeah! Britain!". I know what you're saying Calla, once you open the door to change it's hard to close it. You may be right, if we join now we may come to regret it in 30 years time as we witness our culture gradually erode, but I can't but think that's a bit far fetched.

Noone in Europe seems to want a United States of Europe so it would be very difficult to enforce, and despite modern technology which allows us to fly to exotic corners of Europe in a few hours for a few quid, our culture hasn't been threatened. People are integrating more as travel becomes cheaper and faster, but it hasn't shown any signs of threatening anyone's culture. Believe it or not it was Churchill who coined the term "United States of Europe" and he is one of the most celebrated images of patriotic "Britishness" in history.

Where I live in Ireland is right on the border between the Irish free-state and the part of Ireland still occupied by Britain. I live in the south and go to uni in the occupied counties. It's nothing but a balls having 2 currencies, it means having to have bank accounts in both parts, as you can't really set up a sterling account in the south or a euro account in the occupied counties.
For me it'd be handy if it was all the one currency. A British withdrawal from Ireland would be handy, that way I wouldn't give a toss if you kept the pound or not, infact I think that if it (€) does become a success Britain should be kept out of it. Stuborn in not joining when you first got the chance, so you should be kept out of it now. Not realistic though, as you'll be let join by lackeys in Europe as soon as you want, a weaker nation wouldn't have been allowed fuck about like that.

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"Níl saoirse gan saoirse lucht oibre."

I think it's a horrid idea. The only good part about it is the fact that it has common currency but that's it. The major problem with the euro is that they converted into one big bank in brussels but if 4 countries are in deflationary gaps and 5 countries are in inflationary gaps, what do you decide to do, you can't help everyone with monetary policy. Some will fall on deaf ears and some problems will get worse. That's the downside to having a common currency with any group of nations. I think inflation will get out of hand in certain countries and problems will occur. The central European bank cannot fix all problems with monetary policy, some problems will be addressed, some problems will not be addressed. Major chaos will result from it and it will lead to some heavy inflation problems in certain nations.

I've always liked our policy in Canada. The federal gov't works very closely with the Bank of Canada to make sure that the common goal is achieved because if the gov't goes one way and the Bank of Canada goes the other way, the benefit is negated. That's not to say ours is the best but it has worked very very well over the yrs. We control our own fiscal and monetary policy and we can take steps to control it quickly. In Europe, you have lost that control and by the time someone acts, it maybe too late.

P.S - If you understand something about economics, you will understand my logic, if you don't, then I would not worry because 90% of ppl in countries have no clue about this.

there is a lot of falling in the general european markets at the minute, in particularly germany. there have been lots of multi-nationals with lots of uk based work who have threatened to leave if we don't join, but this has all changed because the euro has not gained in strength the way it was expected. personally i think it will make relatively little difference whether we join or not. we have changed currency before in the not to distant past, as i'm sure your parents have reminded you too but i like the pound and can't be arsed 2 work out all the new shit, but it will happen eventually, we will be in there autumn 2005 and there is no stopping that unless the european markets do collapse.

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w: www.luketerry.com

quote:

Originally posted by donegalredneck Stuborn in not joining when you first got the chance, so you should be kept out of it now.

You think Britain stayed out to be stubborn???

Unlike most other currencies the pound is overvalued, a couple of years ago it was nowhere near convergence with the euro, it would have cost us dearly if we had joined, we'd be shooting ourselves in the foot. Why not wait until a better time if we are going to join?

Besides, Britain would bring significant added strength to the euro.

quote:

Originally posted by torontotrance I think it's a horrid idea. The only good part about it is the fact that it has common currency but that's it. The major problem with the euro is that they converted into one big bank in brussels but if 4 countries are in deflationary gaps and 5 countries are in inflationary gaps, what do you decide to do, you can't help everyone with monetary policy. Some will fall on deaf ears and some problems will get worse. That's the downside to having a common currency with any group of nations. I think inflation will get out of hand in certain countries and problems will occur. The central European bank cannot fix all problems with monetary policy, some problems will be addressed, some problems will not be addressed. Major chaos will result from it and it will lead to some heavy inflation problems in certain nations. I've always liked our policy in Canada. The federal gov't works very closely with the Bank of Canada to make sure that the common goal is achieved because if the gov't goes one way and the Bank of Canada goes the other way, the benefit is negated. That's not to say ours is the best but it has worked very very well over the yrs. We control our own fiscal and monetary policy and we can take steps to control it quickly. In Europe, you have lost that control and by the time someone acts, it maybe too late. P.S - If you understand something about economics, you will understand my logic, if you don't, then I would not worry because 90% of ppl in countries have no clue about this.

Monetary policy is not as effective a weapon as fiscal policy, you're right and that's a valid concern which I also have. However, each member state retains it's own fiscal powers and it's not in anyone's interests to give rise to inflation. That's one good thing about the euro, it's in everyone's interests to keep things running smoothly. So in effect, fiscal policy is working to keep inflation level, there just isn't one body calling the shots.

LOL, I love it when the uk forum shows its intelligence. Fiscal and monetary policy, inflation, FDI, lol. Aggregate demand. Aint we intelligent

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quote:

Originally posted by flystyler LOL, I love it when the uk forum shows its intelligence. Fiscal and monetary policy, inflation, FDI, lol. Aggregate demand. Aint we intelligent

I don't mind admitting, I don't understand a word of this.

quote:

Originally posted by Spad I don't mind admitting, I don't understand a word of this.

Yeah but u understand insurance, and if i ever wanted to make a claim i would come to you

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I'm living over in Germany at the moment and I'm seeing that the euro is failing for the poeple here and a lot of people are moaning about it. For a nation that comes across in the media as being very pro euro, i think its propaganda for brits. These people really are quite pissed off about the euro and a large proportion want the deutsch mark back, mainly because they are shelling out loads more money and they feel their money is now worth less. It has absolutely nothing to do with identity. Although, i find the identity argument a good one. So shopuld'nt we be looking to nations as examples? If only we could get rid of the propaganda!

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Art in the Park Courtesy of PISE & the Ravin' Beauties

quote:

Originally posted by flystyler Yeah but u understand insurance, and if i ever wanted to make a claim i would come to you

Then you're a fool I was a crap claims negotiator

Nah I was OK, but there was this one time I formally admitted liability on a case owned by one of the senior negotiators when he was in the process of taking it to court on a technicality.

Oops

Personnaly

What the f**k is the euro

Rather stick to normal currency. saves complication.

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TrAnCe FoReVeR
Keiths Top Tune!
Absolute - X-Factor (Enigma's Rip)