EMU Entry Off the Pre-Election Agenda

A majority of people in Britain would vote against joining the single European currency if there were a referendum, according to new research from MORI. As part of regular research for citigroup*, the results show the share in favour of EMU entry edged down to 29% from 30% in March, with a rise in the share against to 58% from 56%. Thus, the balance against EMU entry rose to 28% from 26%, and is the highest since October 2001.

Almost three-fifths (58%) of people in Britain would vote against joining the Euro, and under a third (29%) would vote in favour. A further 12% say they do not know how they would vote. When asked how they would vote 'if the Government were to strongly urge that Britain should be part of a single European currency', the share in favour of EMU entry edged down to 33% (lowest since October 2001) from 34% in March, while the share against rose to 54% from 52% in March. The anti-EMU balance rose to 21% from 18%, and is still a little above the 1997-02 average (17%).

* Previously the research was conducted for Schroder Salomon Smith Barney.

• Economic & Market Analysis -- Sterling Weekly [pdf format -- 90K]

Technical details

2,039 people were interviewed between 1-7 May 2003 by MORI Financial Services.