March 05, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Consultants - CPOD Global Scan) - Many Britons are opposed to adopting the Euro, according to a poll by MORI for Citigroup. 57 per cent of respondents say they would vote against the single currency in a referendum.

(Angus Reid Consultants - CPOD Global Scan) - Many Britons are opposed to adopting the Euro, according to a poll by MORI for Citigroup. 57 per cent of respondents say they would vote against the single currency in a referendum.

The Euro has been used in 12 of 15 European Union (EU) countries since January 2002. Sweden, Denmark and Britain were the only EU members that did not adopt the currency.

In June 2003, chancellor of the exchequer Gordon Brown published a report stating that Britain was not ready to adopt the Euro. Only 30 per cent of respondents say they would support the single currency in a plebiscite if the government strongly urged a change.

In December, the Labour government released the question it intends to use in case a referendum on the European currency takes place. The query reads, "Should the United Kingdom adopt the euro as its currency?"

Conservative Party constitutional affairs spokesman Alan Duncan criticized the question's wording, saying it "makes no mention that the pound would be replaced."

Polling Data

If there were a referendum now on whether Britain should be part of a single European currency, how would you vote?

In favour of a single currency	26%
Against a single currency	57%
Don't know	16%

If the government were to strongly urge that Britain should be part of a single European currency, how would you vote?

In favour of a single currency	30%
Against a single currency	55%
Don't know	15%
Refused	1%

Source: MORI / Citigroup
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews to 2,103 British residents ages 16 and up, conducted from Feb. 10 to Feb. 15, 2005. No margin of error was provided.