To: Tony Blair
From: Simon Buckby, Campaign Director, Britain in Europe
Subject: Policies for Europe
The horrific terrorist attacks of 11 September have demonstrated the importance of international co-operation. Tony Blair has drawn the right lessons for our country: in the modern world, Britain simply cannot afford to go it alone. Many of the most important challenges facing Britain are international in scope. Whether we are fighting terrorists, tackling environmental pollution, or dealing with the consequences of currency speculators on the foreign exchanges, solutions can only be found by working with our international partners.
If I were Minister for Europe, I would devote my time to explaining why this lesson applies so strongly to Britain’s place in Europe. Our relationships with America and the Commonwealth are vitally important to Britain, but by virtue of history, geography, and trade, Europe is another key alliance.
Well over half of our trade is with the European Union. Eight of our top ten trading partners are in Europe. Up to 3.5 million British jobs depend on that trade. EU membership made it easier for British firms to trade with Europe, and helped us attract thousands of foreign firms looking for a gateway to Europe. That investment has created around one million jobs.
Europe is crucial to Britain’s influence as well as to our prosperity. Tony Blair’s efforts to unite the international coalition against terrorism would have been much less effective if Britain were not a leading player in Europe. Britain has been a bridge to America because we are a gateway to Europe, and the Prime Minister’s statesmanship has shown that a close relationship with one reinforces our clout with the other. The backward-looking, isolationist view of the anti-Europeans has never seemed more hollow or out of touch with Britain’s national interests than it does today. The current international crisis has driven home how much Britain would be damaged if we were divided from our European partners. We are seeing internationalism triumph over isolationism.
It should not, therefore, be a surprise that support for British membership of the euro amongst both business and the public has risen since 11 September. Tony Blair made clear in his conference speech that, if the economic conditions are met, he will lead the argument for the single currency in this Parliament.
In only a few weeks the euro will become a reality and the old currencies will become history. The introduction of notes and coins in the twelve member states is the single biggest logistical operation in Europe in peacetime history. This will be a major change for Europe and Britain. From 1 January 2002, British people going to Europe – we make 35 million trips every year – will have to use euros rather than francs, pesetas, deutschmarks, or any of the other old currencies. And we will be able to spend our leftover euros in Britain when we return, as will the sixteen million European tourists who visit Britain each year. More than half of Britain’s biggest retailers, including Marks and Spencer and Virgin, have already said that they will accept euros next year, and many exporters will do likewise.
Irrespective of whether or not we are in the euro, the British people need to be informed about this momentous change. If I were Europe Minister, I would explain that we may be able to keep Britain out of the euro, but cannot keep the euro out of Britain.