The Lucky Cabin

It could be argued that one of the biggest hurdles in getting people on side for joining the Euro is undoubtedly convincing the British public that actually it makes much more sense now than it ever has done previously. This opinion is mirrored in that of an increasingly large group of leading figures such as Peter Sutherland who believe that perhaps joining the Euro would be a sensible decision. In the somber desperate last days of peace before the first World War commenced, the British Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey, was repeatedly pressured by his French and Russian colleagues to publicly say, categorically that Britain would remain faithful to its Entente with France and warn Germany that war with England was indeed an inevitability. Each time Grey masterfullymaintained his room for manoeuvre and resisted the pressure. Even as late as August 1st he could argue forcefully that London could not abandon neutrality “for the simple reason that public opinion would not sanction any other course”. As well as this at the Cabinet meeting that Sunday, a clear majority were against any involvement in the imminent conflict. Both the City, many of whose major bankers were of German stock, and much of the media were against getting involved with the war. Grey kept his freedom of action until the last.

But the end was was coming fast. Four days later London had commenced with Germany. However shocking the current financial crisis, it is on a smaller scale, thankfully, than 1914 but the question arises as to whether British pragmatism responding to dramatic events might not be capable of engineering a similar volte-face; to be precise the embrace of British Euro membership after years of anti Euro sentiment from the self appointed representatives of Angleterre Profonde. As in July 1914 there is no political motivation for European engagement at any level of any of the three main parties. A collective ambivalence towards the Euro worn at times heavily on the sleeve extends its deadening embrace cutting across all party lines. As history has time and time again told us, this does not necessarily means opinions can’t change. I for one believe that it is precisely that change of attitude which could play a major role in determining the future of the United Kingdom. Indeed it is vitally important that people do become more open to the idea of joining the Euro, and realize that rather than something to be feared it could in fact be our saving grace.