The Euro has already failed ....

[sasguru]

... and should be called the Franco-Mark. ECB policy is to run the currency for the benefit of these two countries (interest rate rise anyone?) while ignoring completely all the countries on the periphery. Of course they'll stay in for now with the promise of more funds, but those funds will only be forthcoming if they behave as the vassal states they now are. Thank fook for the wise minds in the UK who kept us out of this mess.

[DimPrawn]

... and should be called the Franco-Mark. ECB policy is to run the currency for the benefit of these two countries (interest rate rise anyone?) while ignoring completely all the countries on the periphery. Of course they'll stay in for now with the promise of more funds, but those funds will only be forthcoming if they behave as the vassal states they now are. Thank fook for the wise minds in the UK who kept us out of this mess.

BBC News - Tony Blair: UK could still join euro in future

[sasguru]

BBC News - Tony Blair: UK could still join euro in future

God. Someone needs to slap that mad twunt.

[doodab]

... and should be called the Franco-Mark. ECB policy is to run the currency for the benefit of these two countries (interest rate rise anyone?) while ignoring completely all the countries on the periphery. Of course they'll stay in for now with the promise of more funds, but those funds will only be forthcoming if they behave as the vassal states they now are. Thank fook for the wise minds in the UK who kept us out of this mess.

Another scenario is that continental Europe accepts the need for massive crossborder subsidies in order to remain functional and presses on with greater fiscal and political union and the UK ends up either standing alone on the periphery or getting sucked in.

That might actually be the best thing for Europe, and it might happen whether it's the best thing or not.

[Old Greg]

... and should be called the Franco-Mark. ECB policy is to run the currency for the benefit of these two countries (interest rate rise anyone?) while ignoring completely all the countries on the periphery. Of course they'll stay in for now with the promise of more funds, but those funds will only be forthcoming if they behave as the vassal states they now are. Thank fook for the wise minds in the UK who kept us out of this mess.

Remind me. Is Franko-Mark the gardener that your wife is doing or is he yours?

[Doggy Styles]

Another scenario is that continental Europe accepts the need for massive crossborder subsidies in order to remain functional and presses on with greater fiscal and political union and the UK ends up either standing alone on the periphery or getting sucked in.

That might actually be the best thing for Europe, and it might happen whether it's the best thing or not.

'Standing alone' is certainly the best thing for the UK!

Although it's not standing alone is it. There are many countries not in the euro who are doing very well, thank you!

[MarillionFan]

Good point Sas. Franco-Mark, pretty accurate.

[OwlHoot]

God. Someone needs to slap that mad twunt.

What Blair or DimPrawn?

Oh and, credit where it's due, the "wise mind" who kept us out of the Euro was Gordon Brown.

[doodab]

'Standing alone' is certainly the best thing for the UK!

It probably is in the short term although I do wonder if people will feel as confident about that in 20-30 years. It seems to me the UK is only going to slide down the international pecking order and might be better off jumping in and pushing for a strong role in a united states of Europe now, rather than letting the French & Germans drive and approaching from a position of weakness in 20 years. Assuming of course that greater political and fiscal union, rather than disintegration, is where things are headed.

[scooterscot]

I'd prefer to see the UK support it's european neighbours rather than courting the US at every opportunity.