IN HIS most Euro-sceptical speech to date, the Labour leader, Mr Tony Blair, last night described the prospects of Britain joining a single currency as a "big if" and insisted that there would be a referendum on the issue, writes Rachel Borrill
Speaking to business leaders in Derby, Mr Blair stressed there was no question of the single currency being imposed on Britain under a Labour government and that he would not support joining it unless it was in the country's best interests.
"Let me be absolutely clear: if the issue of Britain joining a single-currency in the next parliament arises; and I stress the `if just as our manifesto will stress the `if, then the final say will be with you, the British people, in a referendum.
"There is no question of it being imposed on the country, slunk through under cover or by a side wind," he said.
Mr Blair repeated Labour's pledge that there was a "triple lock" on Britain's entry to monetary union, with the cabinet, parliament and the country in a referendum deciding.
"Labour will give Britain a fresh start in our dealings with Europe, but it will be on Britain's terms. Strong leadership at home, strong leadership abroad, this is what a united Labour Party can offer, in stark contrast to the chasm that divides the Conservative Party, a chasm that weak leadership has allowed to expand," he said.
After acknowledging the "formidable obstacles" which have to be confronted before the 1999 deadline, Mr Blair insisted it was important for Britain to maintain the option of signing up in the first wave because it would enable ministers to influence the shape of the EMU.
"We must be leading in Europe, not getting pushed around on Europe, not making vague threats on BSE, for example, then getting precisely nowhere and, as a result, letting the people down," he said.