British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair plans a national debate on Britain's future in Europe as early as September to try and swing opinion behind joining the euro, the London Independentreported today.
If he wins tomorrow's election, Mr Blair would finally "come off the fence" over the euro by spelling out the potential benefits of British membership, unidentified sources quoted by the paper said.
They said he was more confident of winning a referendum on the euro than when the election campaign began, and was convinced Conservative leader Mr William Hague's attempt to make the election a vote on the European single currency had backfired.
Mr Hague is campaigning to keep the pound for the five-year term of the next parliament. Mr Blair favours euro entry after the election subject to the right economic conditions and approval by a referendum.
The Independentsaid Mr Blair would use a speech to the annual conference of the Trades Union Congress, from September 10th to 13th, to trigger a "great debate" on the euro. The TUC leadership supports entry.
Mr Blair's change of gear on the euro would not commit him to holding a referendum, the newspaper noted. But it said Mr Blair is thought to favour a referendum in late 2002.
No immediate comment was available from Mr Blair's office.