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It seems that the British public, in the battle between the clueless and the hopeless, have decided that maybe the devil you know makes sense.

Especially if the tories really do intend a return to the policies of the 80s/90s, which are still not fondly remembered.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Wed Nov 19th, 2008 at 06:05:51 AM EST
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Talk about being caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

I just hope some politicians start having the moral courage to talk about Britain joining the euro. However, I suspect by the time that is the case it will be too late for Blighty.

Money is a sign of Poverty - Culture Saying

by RogueTrooper on Wed Nov 19th, 2008 at 06:24:14 AM EST
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See also:

BBC NEWS | Business | Bank hints at further rate cuts

There could be more cuts in UK interest rates, according to the minutes from the Bank of England meeting at which rates were lowered from 4.5% to 3%.

The Bank's nine-member committee voted unanimously for the cut on 6 November, but considered a bigger one.

The Bank's own calculations showed that a cut to 2.5%, or even lower, would be needed to stop inflation falling too far below its target next year.

Rates are expected to be down to 1% by the end of next year. Unless there's parity with ECB rate cuts, that's likely to put the Pound near or below the Euro.

Gordo is probably considering EMU entry, but he'd need a snap election win first.

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Wed Nov 19th, 2008 at 06:30:34 AM EST
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The concept of joining the EU is toxic in UK politics. If you did that, the Murdoch and the rest of the right wing press would declare war immediately.

Plus, I think that the ECB would put such a price on joining in terms of the City's relationship with tax havens that the City itself would revolt.

Can't be done, whatever the advantages.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Wed Nov 19th, 2008 at 08:07:37 AM EST
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Well, if the UK doesn't join the Euro and the interest rates stay very low, which is likely (they even mentioned 0%), then a kind of Pound-based carry-trade could develop.

"Dieu se rit des hommes qui se plaignent des conséquences alors qu'ils en chérissent les causes" Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet
by Melanchthon on Wed Nov 19th, 2008 at 08:22:48 AM EST
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