Airstrip One

The Battlelines are being drawn - 1st December 2002, 20.32

Britain in Europe appears to have been given the go-ahead by No. 10 to start drawing up their campaign and promoting the Euro, in preparation for a referendum to be held next year. The deadline for assessing the tests on the Euro is June 7th.

Simon Buckby, Campaign Director of Britain in Europe, was quoted as saying,

“Moving to Frampton Street reflects our confidence that a referendum will be called, but it is part of the process of building the campaign, not the launch of it. For a few months yet, people should expect to hear the sound of saws and hammers from Britain in Europe, not soundbites and slogans.”

However, the lease is for only one year, according to the Independent, and the building is designed to hold a Millbank style operation.

Buckby is confident, despite public hostility, forecasting in an internal memo, "that sterling will pass the five economic tests before June, and that the subsequent referendum will be won by the "yes" campaign despite polls showing public opinion is hostile to a single currency."

Why do these groups never state that joining the Euro is the choice of the British people, not of the campaign lobbies or the government? They show no respect for this and view the electorate as a fool to be poked and prodded in the right direction. I hope that the fool spits in their eye.