BBC Mini Referendum points to UK Acceptance of Euro

12.00.00am GMT Mon 19th Feb 2001

Diana Wallis, Lib Dem Euro-MP for Yorkshire and the Humber, welcomed the results of an experimental mini referendum campaign on BBC television this weekend.

The programme centred around two teams - one pro-Euro, one anti-Euro - who had to run a mini campaign on a selected street in London to convince people of the case for and against the Single Currency.

"I expected public opinion to swing in favour of joining," commented Diana Wallis MEP after the airing of the programme, "but the pro-Euro argument was so persuasive that they actually won. That was a very pleasant surprise."

At the beginning of the weekend when the campaign was run, a poll of the residents of 'Referendum Street' showed that only 35% were in favour of joining the Euro. By the end of the campaign 58% voted in favour.

"What this programme has shown," continued Diana Wallis, "is that once people are presented with the arguments they realise that the Single Currency is good for jobs, good for the economy and good for Britain.

"I have called on Tony Blair to take a lead on the Single Currency before, and I repeat that call in the wake of the BBC mini poll.

"Let's start looking at the real issues and campaigning for the UK to join the Euro."