The EU And A Single Currency

Public Sector

Measuring the public's knowledge about the EU and attitude towards closer cooperation and a single currency.

 
  • MORI interviewed 959 adults aged 15+ at 147 ward sampling points throughout Great Britain
  • Interviews were conducted face-to-face, in home, between 20-25 August 1996, as part of MORI's regular Omnibus survey
  • Data were weighted to match the profile of the population
  • The survey was conducted on behalf of The European Movement

Q How would you describe your knowledge of the European Union?

  All M F AB C1 C2 DE
  % % % % % % %
Very Good 3 6 1 5 3 3 3
Good 11 14 8 19 10 11 6
Fair 37 43 32 46 40 35 32
Poor 31 25 36 21 31 33 35
Very Poor 18 13 22 10 15 18 24
Don't know * - * - * - *
Very Good / Good 14 20 9 24 13 14 9
Very Poor / Poor 49 38 58 31 46 51 59
Net Good -35 -17 -49 -7 -33 -37 -50

Q For the last few Years, there has been a system of common rules that makes it as easy for companies to do business across the countries of the European Union as it is in their own country. Can you tell me, do you know what this system is called?

  All M F AB C1 C2 DE
  % % % % % % %
Correct answer 7 9 5 9 10 4 4
Incorrect answer 12 16 8 19 11 10 10
Don't know 81 75 87 72 78 86 87

Q On balance, do you agree or disagree with the following statement? "I support closer co-operation between the countries of the European Union with Britain playing a leading role."

  All M F AB C1 C2 DE
  % % % % % % %
Strongly agree 19 25 13 24 20 17 15
Agree 38 40 37 46 36 37 35
Neither agree nor disagree 17 12 21 12 18 14 20
Disagree 13 14 13 11 17 13 13
Strongly disagree 5 4 6 4 3 8 6
No opinion 8 5 11 2 6 10 11

Q As you may know, the member states of the European Union are making plans for a single European currency. Which of the following best describes your own view at the present time?

  All M F Con Lab Lib Dem
  % % % % % %
I strongly support the principle of Britain participating in a single currency 10 13 7 6 12 14
I am generally in favour of Britain participating in a single currency but could be persuaded against it if I thought it would be bad for the British economy 27 25 28 22 32 21
I am generally opposed to the principle of Britain participating in a single European currency but could be persuaded in favour it if I thought it would be good for the British economy 21 21 21 26 18 21
I strongly oppose the principle of Britain participating in a single currency 33 35 31 43 27 41
None of these 1 2 1 1 3 1
Don't know 8 4 12 2 8 3

Q Here are two statements about the single European currency. Which one comes closest to your view?

  All M F Con Lab Lib Dem
  % % % % % %
Britain should keep open its options on a single currency and decide whether or not to join when the preparations have been developed further 60 63 57 55 69 57
Britain should now rule out joining the first group of countries to form a single currency 30 31 29 38 22 42
Neither of these 1 2 1 1 3 1
Don't know 8 4 11 4 7 -

Q It has been proposed that, before making a decision on the single currency, the Government should publish a White Paper - a document for discussion that would set out the advantages and disadvantages of joining. Do you think the Government should or should not publish such a White Paper?

  All M F Con Lab Lib Dem
  % % % % % %
Should 81 83 79 85 81 87
Should not 8 9 8 4 10 11
Neither / Don't know 11 7 14 11 9 2

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