Is it time we joined the EU?

[Cryogenic]

Given that the pound is weak and that it sucks having to pay for a Schengen visa to visit France etc. Is it finally time we came around and became a fully fledged member?

 

[shifty_uk]

Ask dvdbunny.

 

[spirit]

please read this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_European_Union_member_states



membership of Euro, at the moment - no, monetary independence is useful, even if it will converge to 1...

 

[leaskovski]

no! Next question

 

[MooMoo444]

Lets just become an american state and adopt the dollar

 

[daz]

A possible run on the pound makes the Euro a lot more attractive.

Whilst we are a major world economy, we're not the force we once were and moving to the Euro will not only increase trade and investment from Europe in the future, but the Euro-zone will become an economic superpower.

Still not sure if Europe wide interest rates would be the best for us, but we shouldn't ever close ourselves off to looking at all the options.

 

[HEADRAT]

I wonder at the moment if we could even join the Euro, would they allow it?

 

[dirtydog]

We're already in the EU

 

[Dj_Jestar]

OP: Conspiracy theorists would have you believe that that is/was Gordon Brown's plan all along.. and I must admit, I'm even starting to believe it myself.

 

[semi-pro waster]

it sucks having to pay for a Schengen visa to visit France etc.

I've not had to pay for one yet because it only applies if you are staying more than 3 months, take it from the chevals bouche.

I'm not at all certain that the conditions are right for the UK to join the Euro at present or to aim for even greater interdependence with the EU. I'd need a lot more information and time to come to a fair conclusion.

 

[Cryogenic]

please read this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_European_Union_member_states



membership of Euro, at the moment - no, monetary independence is useful, even if it will converge to 1...

You're right, we're already a member according to that. But having the Euro in our back pocket must surely have its advantages.. like no commission to convert currency

 

[Dj_Jestar]

We're already in the EU

But not using the Euro. Though there are cash machines in London that spit Euros out. Nearly used one by mistake on Friday :/

 

[RDM]

I wonder at the moment if we could even join the Euro, would they allow it?

Without a doubt. Even in our current dire straights we are still either the 2nd or 3rd largest EU zone economy.

 

[Cryogenic]

I've not had to pay for one yet because it only applies if you are staying more than 3 months, take it from the chevals bouche.

Interesting, the info seems to vary from site to site. However, this source cannot be disputed

 

[semi-pro waster]

But not using the Euro. Though there are cash machines in London that spit Euros out. Nearly used one by mistake on Friday :/

There's one in the centre of Dundee as well, what's really odd is that there isn't an international airport here and any train/car travel to foreign climes is going to require travelling through a traditional port of exit so it seems spectacularly redundant.

 

[dirtydog]

OP: Conspiracy theorists would have you believe that that is/was Gordon Brown's plan all along.. and I must admit, I'm even starting to believe it myself.

Brown is the only reason we didn't sign up to the euro under Blair.

 

[dirtydog]

I wonder at the moment if we could even join the Euro, would they allow it?

They'd love it. It would benefit them a damn sight more than it ever would do us.

 

[RDM]

There is one in my office. Does both Euros and Dollars. But then we also have a normal cash machine too.

 

[deuse]

no! Next question

+1

 

[Dj_Jestar]

Brown is the only reason we didn't sign up to the euro under Blair.

I'm not convinced.