Home Politics & Debate
If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.

I'm for dropping the pound!

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Hi, I dont wanna upset ne1 or nething but I think that labour hav the right idea with wanting to drop the pound. Has ne1 thought about what would happen if we went for the conservatives? We'd probably end up behind the rest of Europe, we may even hav trouble with trade.

Neway since labour took over things hav got betta - unemployment rates had dropped which every1 has to admit is good!

I'll stop going on now, just thought i'd voice my opinion!
«1

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yaay! A sensible person at last. <IMG alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt; Has anyone realised how much easier it will be for businesses and travellers when we adopt the euro? It will also encourage more businesses to set up in the UK and prove to the rest of Europe that we're NOT isolationist bigots. Roll on the referendum!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    If i remember rightly, wasnt it the conservatives (thatcher i think) who put us 4ward to the Euro? Now they're going back on it...funny dont ya think? <IMG alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt;
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Everyone, from the biggest party to the humble individual, is permitted to change his/her/their mind.

    Actually, the Conservatives only ever supported the ERM (Exchange Rate Mechanism), not EMU (Economic and Monetary Union). The Thatcherite view of the EEC/EU (as opposed to the view from the Heath) was a purely economic alliance.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Meryn:
    and prove to the rest of Europe that we're NOT isolationist bigots.

    u mean ur not? <IMG alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/tongue.gif"&gt; had me fooled.

    seriously, i do think that the UK should possibly adopt a dual currency system. expensive initail capital, but it would work, i do believe.

    if i was less tired, i would argue the economics of it as well. but i'll save that for another day.

    Look into these tired eyes. See something you might recognise.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I just wonder how many britons oppose the Euro money due to historical and identity reasons.
    Pound has been the currency unit about 1000 years now.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Zenius:

    Pound has been the currency unit about 1000 years now.

    Maybe...but it's only been in its current state (decimalisation) since the 1960's and everyone seemed to be able to cope with that, so why not the euro? The queen's head isn't that great ya know!!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Meryn:
    The queen's head isn't that great ya know!!

    I know...world changes and so on. For me it's not a big deal to get used to a new currency or anything new. I like new things.

    Our currency Markka is only approx. 140 years old but many people are very attached to it and they don't want to loose it. Its like a symbol of independence or something.
    Nothing, however, is everlasting, so the Markka has to step aside and give room to Euro from the morning of a New Year 2002.
    Markka will be still accepted till the end of february, but after that it is only accepted in the banks.

    Markka, rest in peace, you have served us well and you will soon become a collectors curiosity. And very valuable in a remote future.

    How about Pound?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I think I'd go for dropping the pound, even though it is part of our heratige, we're starting fresh and can't truelly be part of Europe without adopting the Euro.
    I guess it'd be easier to work out the poverty rates and income in different countries and compare them to help us gain more equality.
    I admit, that it'd take the novelty out of getting your money exchanged for different currencies when you go on holiday abroad, but if it helps equality, I'm all for it.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    You can't drop the pound..

    reason?

    My fav smiley has got it innit.

    Sorry, but you can't do it. <IMG alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/rolleyes.gif"&gt; But on the other hand.. if it makes you feel better... I guess you can throw it away.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Meryn:
    The queen's head isn't that great ya know!!

    Slightly off the topic:

    How important do you (britons) consider your Royal institution? Is it worth saving or is it a burden or something like that?
    Should it be abolished in the near future?

    I've read somewhere that the British Royal family has the least support among the Royal families in Europe.

    Comments?

    Zenius
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    To be honest I've never really like the Royal Family since Princess Diana was killed, I sill think they had summit 2 do with it! Wot do u all think?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Any polls done to reflect the public opinion?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I dont reckon hague should try and turn the general election in to 'a referendum on the euro'. thats what a REAL referendum's for! honestly, which is fairer - choosing about the euro in the middle of all the other policies the parties are putting out, or choosing about it on its own, not distracted from by other policies. would be a bit fairer y'know. i think a lot of spin has been put on the issue by the tories, and i appreciate that blair would do the same in a referendum, but i think we should weigh up all sides before deciding.
    i guess what it all boils down to is whether we want a leading role in the EU, or to go it alone. there's a case to be made for both, and perhaps the time is not yet right for making a decision that could well change the course of british history.

    so, in summary - vote labour and then decide on the euro. and dont vote tory coz hague's a baldy idiot (well come on, someone had to say it!)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I am the only skeptical one out there then?

    Doesn't it worry any of you that monetary control will no longer be in the hands of the UK and that a centralised Euro Bank will control the purse strings?

    Or that the Euro is currently bombing?

    Do you remember the ERM fiasco and how much that cost the UK economy? (for those youngsters who don't, you'd better read up on it - v. important lesson)

    I'm not anti-europe, in fact a common trade agreement is good, but I'd worry about full economic integration.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Man Of Kent:

    Do you remember the ERM fiasco and how much that cost the UK economy? (for those youngsters who don't, you'd better read up on it - v. important lesson)


    You are assuming that history will always repeat itself.
    Don't do that. Give Europe some credit.
    You won't be alone.

    Zenius
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    History always repeats itself because of the arrogance like you displayed which says that we are cleverer than our ancestors...

    Holocaust 1933 - 1945 = Balkans 1990 - 2000?
    WW1 "The War to End all Wars" = WW2
    Vietnam = Sudan

    I wish I had your faith in human nature but I can see a rise in nationalism as political integration approaches and that should worry all of us.

    God (whichever name you know Him by) save us from people who think that Euro integration is a benefit to anyone other than the richest...
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    60 yers ago my granparents fought a war to preven Germany controling Europe. They protected the freedom of the British people. Why then now, do we want to hand over so much power to them now just so we are not left out.

    British people are different to French, as Germans are different to Italians therefore I believe it would be irresponsible to let different nations be led by people of different nationality.

    Most of the wars in the world are fought because of country's striving for independance from another. I would like to be able to continue calling myself English because that it what I'm proud to be.

    Surely it would be better to put off ditching the pound until the Euro is established. The pound at the moment is one of the strongest currency's in the world and we are trading perfectly well with the Europe.

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    You will still be English, Skive.

    I can't be bothered arguing. just saying i disagree, but like ur argument.

    Look into these tired eyes. See something you might recognise.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Turtle:
    You will still be English, Skive.

    I can't be bothered arguing. just saying i disagree, but like ur argument.


    I dont like the idea of a "superstate". If it goes ahead we'll have no more power than a state in the USA.
    We should have some integration, but not to that extreme. Europe shouldnt be able to set our tax rates, or police our country or set our laws. It should be for us to decide.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru


    So much prejudice. What would be your answer to the problems you have and we all have.
    Poverty, injustice etc....

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    dripping essex minge.
  • Girl-From-MarsGirl-From-Mars Posts: 2,822 Boards Guru
    yeah i agree with kermit.

    "That which does not kill us makes us stronger."
    ~ Nietzsche
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Im all for being in the EU, but I dont want the level of integration that Blair wants. Somone earlier asked about the Royal Family.
    There was a poll earlier this year and it showed that most of the population liked the Royal Family, or thought it was good we have one. It is part of our identity, something that makes our nation what it is. I remember someone a while back suggesting "why dont we get rid of the Royal Family?" There are some problems with that, firstly everyone in the country would have to say they didnt like it, its no use there being a 49-51 view. Secondly, if Blair didnt like the result and tried to disband the royal family he would find that because the Armed forces swear allegiance to the Queen and usually obey their commanding officers he would lose their support, plunging the country into civil war. It would also divide the police and intelligence services as well. That is why, along with the pound we should try and keep our national identity, people mentioned earlier about decimalisation, we still didnt lose the pound, all we lost was the system of counting it. The pound may be only a lump of metal with the queens head on it, but it is still our currency and no one has the right to take it away. We've survived in the world this long without a single currency, i think we can survive a bit longer.

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    being more integrated in eurpope would really scare me. look at the trouble ireland is in at the moment after their referendum rejected the nice treaty. europe has basically told them that that vote ain't gonna stop em, though if it was france or germany i bet it would. lots of germans are unhappy with the idea of the euro, but they haven't got a choice about it.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Zenius:
    You are assuming that history will always repeat itself.
    Don't do that. Give Europe some credit.
    You won't be alone.

    Zenius
    Assuming that history will repeat itself? Take a look at europe over the last 100 years, you stupid stupid person!!!

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    the Royal Family being a part of national identity is something that I've only every really applied to England, not Britain in general...

    I live in Wales and I've never given a rat's arse about the Royal Family.

    I'm still waiting for the next Llewelyn
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    For the complete history of England we have fought for the pound and millions of people have died because of it. Are you really prepared to throw that all away by joining the Euro? Are you prepared to loose our financial control? Our taxes will rise because we will be funding the needs of the less developed countries. Why should we have to pay for countries, such as Greece?

    We have one of the strongest economies in the world. We really shouldn't throw all this away by joining the Euro, the fastest declining currency in the world! Over the last 3 years, the Euro has lost 20% of its value. We should, like Switzerland, stay clear of the EU and especially the Euro!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by genie_2001:
    For the complete history of England we have fought for the pound and millions of people have died because of it. Are you really prepared to throw that all away by joining the Euro? Are you prepared to loose our financial control? Our taxes will rise because we will be funding the needs of the less developed countries. Why should we have to pay for countries, such as Greece?

    We have one of the strongest economies in the world. We really shouldn't throw all this away by joining the Euro, the fastest declining currency in the world! Over the last 3 years, the Euro has lost 20% of its value. We should, like Switzerland, stay clear of the EU and especially the Euro!

    erm...sorry to burst ur balloon, but that Euro aint been around for three years.

    aside from that, ur talking crap anyways. the world wars, which i can only assume ur referring to, were against the forces of german imperialism and facism, not to keep the pound. only thru (vaguely) logical extension can one say the wars were fought to save the pound.

    basically, why can u not except change. i dont think this is about losing the pound, it's about economic control, something you will not lose.

    Look into these tired eyes. See something you might recognise.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Turtle:
    basically, why can u not except change. i dont think this is about losing the pound, it's about economic control, something you will not lose.


    Yes we will. The moment we join the single currency we put ourselves deeper into the mire of single interest rates for europe. This means that the democratic system of financial accountability is lost.

    We can remove from power a government if we don't think that they manage the economy, but we cannot remove the EU. My voice becomes smaller as integration increases.

    I have posted this question elsewhere: Do we live in a democratic society or a capitalist one, because they are not the same thing.

    "He's just a pimp, with a limp and some vaseline""
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    if we droped the pound then the country would be ruined. i think we should get out of europe so we can save 20 billion a year and then our country would be good.
Sign In or Register to comment.