Morris: Trade Unions Pushing For Early Entry Risk Losing Referendum

MORI survey shows '5-tests' will be crucial to Euro referendum.

Bill Morris, General Secretary of the T&G called on union leaders preparing for the TUC Congress next week to "listen to the views of their members on Europe and stop pushing for early entry". Pointing to a MORI opinion poll conducted for the Transport & General Workers' union and released today Mr Morris said: "this research shows that those trade union leaders who are pushing for early entry into the Euro are out of touch with the views of rank-and-file members."

The MORI survey shows that support for the Euro among the general public and union members will be dramatically increased if the Chancellor's five economic tests for convergence have been satisfied.

When asked whether they would consider Euro entry after Gordon Brown's criteria are met, there was a net increase in favour of ten percent. The percentage who would be strongly in favour rises by three percent and the percentage who would 'generally' or 'strongly' oppose falls by two percent and five percent respectively. The question of the five tests also tips the balance of support in favour of Euro entry among trade union members.

"This is evidence that union members see the economic criteria as a key determinant of our entry. They will not agree to Euro-entry at any time and any price," said Mr Morris.

Bill Morris, general secretary of the T&G, continued: "These results clearly show that the trade unionists who are pushing for early entry to the Euro could cost Labour the referendum". "Campaigning for entry to the Euro at any economic cost is out-of-touch with the feelings of union members as well as the general public. The only way to win the political battle on the Euro is to satisfy the economic questions first."

• When people were asked whether they would consider Euro entry after Gordon Brown's five criteria are met, there was an increase in net support of 10%
• The percentage who would be strongly in favour rises by 3% and the percentage who would 'generally' or 'strongly' oppose falls by 2% and 5% respectively.

Q1 Which of the following best describes your own view of British participation in the single currency?

Views Of British Participation Trends

Q2 If Britain were to join the single european currency now, do you think it would be good for Britain's economy, it would be bad for Britain's economy, or it would make no difference?

Q3 As you may know, Gordon Brown has set out five criteria to determine whether or not the British economy is ready to join the Euro. If these criteria were met, which of the following do you think would best describe your own view of British participation in the Single European Currency?

Q4 And if these criteria mere met and Britain were to join the Single European Currency, do you think it would be good for Britain's economy, it would be bad for Britain's economy, or it would make no difference?

Technical details

MORI interviewed a representative sample of 2,254 adults aged 15+ in 183 sampling points throughout Great Britain. Face-to-face in home interviewing took place 3-7 August 2000. The data has been weighted to the known profile of British adults.