With the pound losing 13% of its value against the euro in the last 2 months and a 25% fall against the dollar this year, does it really matter all that much?

 

The Government spokesperson says it will be good for UK exporters, but do we have any left? For in recent years we import far more than we export so things we buy will cost even more. The only things we exported recently was financial services, but aren’t they all in a little bit of a mess at the moment.

 

Holidays abroad will cost a lot more as well, as you get less euros to spend.

 

So should the Government try and rescue the pound?

 

I remember this quote by a former chancellor who is now Prime Minister, <_<

 

“A weak currency is a sign of a weak economy, which is the sign of a weak government. “

 

Or should we join the Euro? Mind you with the rate getting close to 1 to 1 you could say we are as good as in the euro system.

 

What do you think?

when we get to 1 to 1 i see no point in having our own currency.

 

This weak pound it really annoying, as it keeps dropping Australia gets more and more expensive

Now is the prime time to switch to the euro, but many middle aged people have got conservative and anti-euro opinions and no goverment will want to do that now.

 

The weak pound is good for me and my family because we're dairy farmers and not only are exports more valuable but there is more demand for milk produced in britain. This pushes up milk price. Since we're TB infected though we can't export any milk i don't think, but i'm not an expert.

Now is the prime time to switch to the euro, but many middle aged people have got conservative and anti-euro opinions and no goverment will want to do that now.

 

I'm 36, so I guess that could be considered "middle aged" by some, but frankly I have no real problems with joining the Euro... If the pound does indeed go 1 to 1 the arguments against joining a single currency will pretty much evaporate.. It's really the more "emotional" arguments concerning the bloody Queen being on the currency that'll be the only arguments left pretty much.... Well, Scotland hasn't had the Queen on their currency for a while now and no one up there seems really bothered by it :lol: , so I dont really see that argument either tbh...

 

But it's really typical of "Little Britain" attitudes to be against stuff like this... I mean, we cant even seem to cope with the bloody METRIC SYSTEM, even though we signed up to that one almost 40 YEARS ago and it's perfectly logical and practical (certainly moreso than Imperial weights and measures).... Not only that, but it was an ENGLISH chap (John Wilkins in the 17th Century, so this is a very OLD concept) who came up with the whole idea of a metric system in the first place when you look at it historically; the only reason why we seem to under the false impression that it's a European idea is because the French (under Louis XVI) were the ones who were the keenest to adopt the idea, so, because the French did it, and the English hated the French historically, it became this "bad idea" and we resisted it for no other reasons than petty historical squabbles..... :rolleyes:

 

I have no massive opposition to the Euro but if we signed up to the Euro anyone that thinks that that would be the end of financial integration is living in a fantasy world, we would end up with unelected bureaucrats on the Brussels gravy train setting our interest rates and other economic policies with our PM powerless to stop them and have them dictating other policies.

 

We will be the first country in Europe to emerge from the credit crunch because we have incredibly low inflation and interest rates

 

I got nothing against the Euro and couldn't care less about the queens head as I am a republican but DO care about Brussels meddling in our economic affairs so will vote No in any referrendum

I have no massive opposition to the Euro but if we signed up to the Euro anyone that thinks that that would be the end of financial integration is living in a fantasy world, we would end up with unelected bureaucrats on the Brussels gravy train setting our interest rates and other economic policies with our PM powerless to stop them and have them dictating other policies.

 

We will be the first country in Europe to emerge from the credit crunch because we have incredibly low inflation and interest rates

 

I got nothing against the Euro and couldn't care less about the queens head as I am a republican but DO care about Brussels meddling in our economic affairs so will vote No in any referrendum

Is our inflation low? I thought 4.5% is rather high and Germany has inflation of 2/3%? Maybe the EU can manage our finances better than ourselves :lol:

I'm 36, so I guess that could be considered "middle aged" by some, but frankly I have no real problems with joining the Euro... If the pound does indeed go 1 to 1 the arguments against joining a single currency will pretty much evaporate.. It's really the more "emotional" arguments concerning the bloody Queen being on the currency that'll be the only arguments left pretty much.... Well, Scotland hasn't had the Queen on their currency for a while now and no one up there seems really bothered by it :lol: , so I dont really see that argument either tbh...

 

But it's really typical of "Little Britain" attitudes to be against stuff like this... I mean, we cant even seem to cope with the bloody METRIC SYSTEM, even though we signed up to that one almost 40 YEARS ago and it's perfectly logical and practical (certainly moreso than Imperial weights and measures).... Not only that, but it was an ENGLISH chap (John Wilkins in the 17th Century, so this is a very OLD concept) who came up with the whole idea of a metric system in the first place when you look at it historically; the only reason why we seem to under the false impression that it's a European idea is because the French (under Louis XVI) were the ones who were the keenest to adopt the idea, so, because the French did it, and the English hated the French historically, it became this "bad idea" and we resisted it for no other reasons than petty historical squabbles..... :rolleyes:

 

another anglophobic post :P

 

i see no reason to change to the metric system, so what if theres an argument for ditching imperial? whats wrong with retaining something of our identity? if the british people want to keep imperial then we should. we have worked alongside other currencies/measures for years quite satisfactorily.

 

personally, im not keen on the euro as a design... the coins and notes are poorly designed imho, mind you ours aint much better...

another anglophobic post :P

 

i see no reason to change to the metric system, so what if theres an argument for ditching imperial? whats wrong with retaining something of our identity? if the british people want to keep imperial then we should. we have worked alongside other currencies/measures for years quite satisfactorily.

 

In what way Anglophobic, you really are totally over-sensitive about this issue, and you slag ME off for seeing racism everywhere... :P I've acknowleged that Wilkins was ENGLISH, and that he should be given credit for the Metric System over the French... And, exactly in what way am I wrong about the English not really liking the French very much... Er, that happens to be true..... The general English attitude towards the continental Europeans has always been pretty bad, you cant deny that.... Not that the Continental attitudes toward the English are much better to be fair, but I just wonder how it all got started really.... It's really all about petty historical squabbles between the various Royal Houses, who were all inter-marrying and related to each other anyway.... Which makes it even stranger..... I think it's really about time we grew out of this bullsh!t personally.....

 

And, sorry, but The Metric System is a perfectly logical way of measuring weights and distances... 1000g = 1 Kg, 1000meters = 1 kilometer, 100 cm = 1 metre.... Er, what's so difficult about that.....? You ask me, it's pounds, ounces, miles and hectares that are needlessly fiddly and overly complicated to get a grasp of... Far better to have a simpler system if you ask me... Which is why WILKINS came up with it in the first place... But people like you are so blind to the facts of history that you cannot see that in denying the Metric System you are in fact, ironically, denying part of your own culture and heritage..... :P

 

But, you just carry on living in a short-sighted world mate, I prefer to have 20/20 vision personally.... :rolleyes:

 

Is our inflation low? I thought 4.5% is rather high and Germany has inflation of 2/3%?

 

Funny, I was thinking the same thing tbh.... Pretty sure France's is lower than ours as well..... Could be wrong though....

 

I have a question, please don't tell me I'm dumb, I'm just not from the UK. :D :ph34r:

 

Why hasn't the UK actually introduced Euro in 2002? What was the main reason?

And, sorry, but The Metric System is a perfectly logical way of measuring weights and distances... 1000g = 1 Kg, 1000meters = 1 kilometer, 100 cm = 1 metre.... Er, what's so difficult about that.....? You ask me, it's pounds, ounces, miles and hectares that are needlessly fiddly and overly complicated to get a grasp of... Far better to have a simpler system if you ask me... Which is why WILKINS came up with it in the first place... But people like you are so blind to the facts of history that you cannot see that in denying the Metric System you are in fact, ironically, denying part of your own culture and heritage..... :P

 

But, you just carry on living in a short-sighted world mate, I prefer to have 20/20 vision personally.... :rolleyes:

 

eh?... cant you read? i didnt say the metric system was difficult, in fact i admitted it was probably simpler.... i just dont see the need, our imperial (oh thats probably what bugs you...that word!) system has worked for years along side the metric... dont see why we need to change even if it is easier.

Is our inflation low? I thought 4.5% is rather high and Germany has inflation of 2/3%? Maybe the EU can manage our finances better than ourselves :lol:

In Hungary the inflation is around 7-8% and it should've been lower by now.

 

I do think 4.5% is rather high in a western european country. Germany has higher inflation now imo too but I don't know the actual numbers.

i just dont see the need, our imperial (oh thats probably what bugs you...that word!) system has worked for years along side the metric... dont see why we need to change even if it is easier.

 

People probably said the same thing about computers/word processors replacing typewriters.... "Oh, what's the need..? Typewriters are perfectly okay....", or, "why do we need a new PC operating system, DOS is perfectly alright.." or "what do we need with DVD or CD Roms, hell nowt wrong with Floppy Disks".. It's just being silly and old fashioned mate, simple as.... I wouldn't care if it was called the "fluffy pink bunny rabbit" system of weights and measures, it is OBSOLETE, it is OLD FASHIONED (in fact, it's been obsolete for over 300 years as history proves...), there is a better, simpler system out there for us to use, so it should be used, simple as, are we so intellectually backward in this country compared to our EU neighbours that we cant handle it somehow.....? No, it's because old gits like you clinging onto it like grim death, :P the young seem perfectly at ease with the metric system..... And I myself grew up with it....

People probably said the same thing about computers/word processors replacing typewriters.... "Oh, what's the need..? Typewriters are perfectly okay....", or, "why do we need a new PC operating system, DOS is perfectly alright.." or "what do we need with DVD or CD Roms, hell nowt wrong with Floppy Disks".. It's just being silly and old fashioned mate, simple as.... I wouldn't care if it was called the "fluffy pink bunny rabbit" system of weights and measures, it is OBSOLETE, it is OLD FASHIONED (in fact, it's been obsolete for over 300 years as history proves...), there is a better, simpler system out there for us to use, so it should be used, simple as, are we so intellectually backward in this country compared to our EU neighbours that we cant handle it somehow.....? No, it's because old gits like you clinging onto it like grim death, :P the young seem perfectly at ease with the metric system..... And I myself grew up with it....

 

nonsense.... another bad analogy. theres NOTHING WRONG with imperial, metric ISNT BETTER it ISNT a technological improvement... its different thats all... just a different way of counting.

theres NOTHING WRONG with imperial, metric ISNT BETTER it ISNT a technological improvement...

 

There's everything wrong with Imperial... It's fiddly, overly complicated, you have to think about what's a mile or a yard or a foot, etc.... Metric totally does away with the need for such time wasting because it's all rounded up numbers, decimally-based, etc.... I dont even REMEMBER how many yards are in a mile, and frankly I couldn't give a sh!t.... EVERYONE knows that 1000m = 1km and 1000g = 1kg and 1000ml = 1 litre; how many youngsters out there (ie, people UNDER 30) actually know (ie, without looking it up on Wikipedia) how many yards make up a mile or how many ounces make up a pound or what constitutes a gallon....?

 

It's a better, easier, less complicated system..... AND it's ENGLISH as well, not European and has been around for 300 years, give or take, so it aint like it's "new".... Dunno why you're so bloody-minded about it..... We've had PLENTY of time to get used to the idea (40 years almost..), which is longer than I've been alive, and well, we DID sign up to the "Common Market" in the 70s, so in a "Common Market" there should be a uniform, and accepted system of weights and measures, AND a common currency too (we can lay aside the arguments about Political union or Defence for the moment), IMO; I mean, it's a bit like going to Camden Market and having one set of stalls taking Pounds and another set of stalls taking Spanish Dubloons or Groats.... Silly.....

Double post.

Edited December 17, 200816 yr by DitzyNizzy

It's really the more "emotional" arguments concerning the bloody Queen being on the currency that'll be the only arguments left pretty much.... Well, Scotland hasn't had the Queen on their currency for a while now and no one up there seems really bothered by it :lol: , so I dont really see that argument either tbh...

 

And what's to say that the Queen won't be the British design for the coins? (Whilst the notes are the same, the obverse side of the coins have a different design in each country.)

 

personally, im not keen on the euro as a design... the coins and notes are poorly designed imho, mind you ours aint much better...

 

You should see some of the notes from Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Edited December 17, 200816 yr by DitzyNizzy

There's everything wrong with Imperial... It's fiddly, overly complicated, you have to think about what's a mile or a yard or a foot, etc.... Metric totally does away with the need for such time wasting because it's all rounded up numbers, decimally-based, etc.... I dont even REMEMBER how many yards are in a mile, and frankly I couldn't give a sh!t.... EVERYONE knows that 1000m = 1km and 1000g = 1kg and 1000ml = 1 litre; how many youngsters out there (ie, people UNDER 30) actually know (ie, without looking it up on Wikipedia) how many yards make up a mile or how many ounces make up a pound or what constitutes a gallon....?

 

It's a better, easier, less complicated system..... AND it's ENGLISH as well, not European and has been around for 300 years, give or take, so it aint like it's "new".... Dunno why you're so bloody-minded about it..... We've had PLENTY of time to get used to the idea (40 years almost..), which is longer than I've been alive, and well, we DID sign up to the "Common Market" in the 70s, so in a "Common Market" there should be a uniform, and accepted system of weights and measures, AND a common currency too (we can lay aside the arguments about Political union or Defence for the moment), IMO; I mean, it's a bit like going to Camden Market and having one set of stalls taking Pounds and another set of stalls taking Spanish Dubloons or Groats.... Silly.....

 

utter nonsense.... if you are taught the imperial system then youd KNOW it. fiddley? complicated? well its worked in one form or another long enough, so what if the metric is easier? it WOULDNT be an improvement to distance for eg, as we are ingrained with miles, we understand miles, try DRIVING on the continent and panicking everytime you see a traffic cop because your car is set to mph and you dont automatically know the kph ... nah... i see NO NEED to change.

Metric $h!tes all over Imperial.

 

When it come to Gallons, i know the USGal and the UKGal are both different and it's a stupid number of Litres.

 

When it come to MPH, We fill the cars with litres, talk about emissions per Kilometre and Ecomony is done in Kilometre per Litre and then again in MPG for the lazy brits.

 

I'm a fan of switching to the Euro. It opens up a lot of new trading opportunities for UK companies, and it will actually save them a lot of money through conversion rates changing constantly. Demand for their products would be more consistent and wouldn't change with how weak or strong Sterling is.

I'm no economist but based upon what happened to the Icelandic krona, it might be wise for the UK to move to the Euro...