Hear All Sides

EUROPE

ANTI-euro and pro-euro correspondents alike seem to be afraid of admitting that both sides have non-economic points as their strongest cards.

The economic arguments are impossible to prove either way because they are arguments about the future.

The decisions, both by the Government and by individuals voting in a referendum, will clearly be political, which, of course, means emotional.

On the anti-euro side, the strongest argument is based on our instinctive feeling that, since being an island state has kept us safe from defeat by foreign invaders since 1066, we should beware of losing that independence to non-islanders.

On the pro-euro side, the strongest (and to my mind clinching) argument is that the increasing collaboration of the independent states of Europe since 1945 has made further catastrophic wars between these states unthinkable.

We have now had the longest period of peace in Western Europe in recorded history. Being an islander is hardly significant now. Being British, hence European, means much more.

The common currency is a natural and necessary step in the recognition of this. - John Hawgood, Durham.

NOW that the euro is a reality in 12 out of 15 European countries, it is time that we in the UK became better acquainted with it.

Already travellers to Europe are finding they have to get used to the euro when on holiday or a business trip.

Interesting things are happening in Europe anyway. Peter Cox, an Irish Liberal Democrat, has just been elected as President of the European Parliament. Nobody can say any longer that Europe is run only by large nations. - David J Whittaker, Hon Sec, European Movement, Tees Area Branch.

SHOULD we, as a nation, enter economic and monetary union, then this is forever. No future Parliament will be able to extricate us.

How does this equate with the seemingly immortal concept that "no Parliament may bind its successors"?

Perhaps the continued absence of the judgement in the Metric Martyrs appeal, where this was part of the defence's argument, is becoming increasingly pertinent. - Neil Herron, Sunderland.

THE Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee sits regularly to set interest rates for Britain.

The economic model it uses is complex, but some important factors are the rate of inflation, employment levels, consumer spending and the needs of industry.

Commentators always consider the rate of inflation as being important with the needs of industry being further down the line.

All industries are borrowers of money in order to operate until services or goods are sold. This borrowing is cost, which is important to manufacturing industry and is reliant upon exporting, where about one per cent has to be added to cover exchange rate costs. These are costs which competitors in the euro zone do not have.

If the MPC feels that inflation is set to rise because of a rise in consumer spending, then it puts interest rates up to check the inflation, but that also adds unwarranted cost onto manufacturers, making exports even less competitive. Our one interest rate does not fit all.

If we were in the euro, interest rates would be set by the European Central Bank. The same kind of circumstances would exist but at least we would have a say on how interest rates are fixed and on how the bank should operate.

'One Interest Rate Fits All' is not a sound argument against our entry into the euro, but gaining a voice in the ECB is.

At least our manufacturers would have no exchange rate costs and would be on a level playing field if we were in the euro. - Bill Morehead, Darlington.

SPAIN has just taken over the presidency of the EU from Belgium and the Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Marie Aznar, has been already been feeling the heat for articulating his reservations about the integrationist agenda of many European politicians.

It is interesting that this criticism comes from those who constantly spout about the need for tolerance and understanding of differing views. This 'do as I say, not as I do' attitude is even evident among some of those in the North-East who advocate further EU integration. They preach about the need for tolerance and understanding and yet, if someone declares themselves to be euro sceptic to any degree, then accusations of being dangerously extreme and out of touch are quickly tagged on to that person.

The people who want to keep their own currency and maintain political accountability at Westminster, which is in fact the majority of British citizens, are in danger of being unfairly labelled.

It is not intolerant, extreme or old fashioned to believe that Britain should keep her own currency, and that further European political integration is undesirable and we must not be tricked into thinking otherwise. - Martin Callanan MEP, North East, Conservative.

WEDDING REFORM

THE plans to overhaul civil weddings will certainly do nothing to enhance the sense of serious commitment that a wedding ceremony surely should be.

The proposed freedom to marry when and where you choose (Echo, Jan 23) smacks far too much of downgrading marriage to something to be taken as lightly as a nice day out somewhere.

Simon Calvert, deputy director of the Christian Institute, rightly says that going to church or a register office means there is an added degree of solemnity about the process, which makes people think about what they are entering into.

It is not the pretty or exciting headline-grabbing venue that should matter most, but the serious commitment and promises the couple make. - EA Moralee, Billingham.