THE
euro will be in use in Britain within weeks and will soon be as readily
accepted in the high street as sterling, according to Neil Kinnock,
Britain�s most senior official in Brussels, writes Nicholas
Rufford.
On the eve of the launch of euro cash in 12 countries, Kinnock
predicted the notes and coins would become a second currency in Britain
faster than expected, regardless of whether it replaced sterling
officially.
Kinnock, a European commissioner and one of Tony Blair�s advisers on
euro strategy, said most high street stores, as well as banks and building
societies, would �accept euros as easily as they do pounds and pence�.
His remarks are a departure from the usual efforts by the European
Union to remain neutral regarding Britain�s relationship with the euro.
Kinnock was roused by what he regarded as unfair criticism of the new
currency.
�People will quickly realise that when they touch a euro their
fingers will not drop off, despite the attempts of anti-Europeans to
portray it as some sort of dreadful plague,� he said.
He added that it was not a case of whether Britain joined the euro but
when.
�The case for Britain being in the euro is exactly the same as the case
for Britain being in theEuropean Union,� Kinnock added.
The pound would remain Britain�s official currency until a referendum
on the euro and most transactions would be in sterling until then, but the
euro would become a popular alternative currency, he said.
Critics said Kinnock�s remarks were evidence of a government plan to
bring the euro to Britain through the back door. �By the time Blair gets
round to asking the British people, the euro will be a foregone
conclusion,� said one critic.
The emergence of the euro as a second unofficial currency is being
quietly pushed by the government. The Department of Trade and Industry has
set up 12 regional euro forums to promote the currency to small
businesses.
Helplines and government literature advise businessmen from shopkeepers
to manufacturers that accepting the euro will soon be in their best
interests. The government has admitted to spending �23m preparing for the
euro changeover.
Michael Howard, the shadow chancellor, accused the government of a
policy of �euro creep�. He added: �I don�t think it is acceptable that
public money is being spent on euro preparations. A lot of that is being
used for propaganda.�
