Our Saving Grace February 1, 2009
Posted in : Money Making , trackbackIt could be argued that one of the biggest hurdles in getting people on side for finally coming round to 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 reflected in that of many leading figures such as Peter Sutherland who believe that perhaps joining the Euro now makes sense. In the melancholic desperate last days of peace preceding the first World War, the British Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey, was repeatedly pressed by his French and Russian colleagues to publicly say, categorically that the UK would be faithful to its Entente with the French and warn Germany that she would have to reckon with war with England. Each time Grey masterfullykept up his room for manoeuvre and did a fantastic job of keeping off the pressure. All the way up until August 1st he could argue forcefully that London could not leave neutrality “for the simple reason that public opinion would not sanction any other course”. At the Cabinet meeting that Sunday, most were against having ant part in the imminent conflict. Both the City, many of whose major bankers were of German heritage, and a hefty segment of the media were against getting involved with the war. Grey kept his freedom of action until the end.
But the end was was coming fast. Four days later London had commenced with Germany. However dramatic the current financial crisis, it is on a smaller scale, mercifully, 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; namely the embrace of British Euro membership after years of anti-Euro rhetoric from the self appointed representatives of Angleterre Profonde. As was the case in July 1914 there is no political enthusiasm for European engagement at any level of any of the three main parties. A collective Euro-indifference worn at times heavily on the sleeve extends its deadening embrace which universal amongst all political parties. As history has shown, 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.
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