Report of Debate on the EURO:- 22 September 2000

The motion to be debated was "It is in the interests of British Trade Unionists for Britain to join the single currency once the criteria for entry has been met."

Bill Rammell MP spoke for the motion and Charlie Cochrane seconded. I thought both spoke well, putting a well-constructed case, although I didn't agree with it. Speaking against the motion was Will Podmore and Hele Hagenau from Trade Unions Against the Euro. I was very disappointed with both these speeches because their arguments centered on public opinion being against the EURO. Pete Brown and Bob Edwards spoke for abstention. Both put a strong case, with Bob centreing his arguements on the need to tackle the basic framework of capitalism rather than its monetary manifestation. A very interesting debate then took place amongst the 40 or so audience, with a much better case being put against the motion than previously. With all four speakers given the opportunity to sum up at the end, Bill and Charlie took theirs but only Will took his. In what could only be described as an own goal, Will antagonized the audience by giving a highly nationalistic slant to his summing up (something absent from all previous contributions).

For my part, I refrained from expressing a view during the debate (although I voted for abstention at the end, partly to disassociate myself from the comments of Will), The main point I wanted to make was that Europe was heading for recession over the next period, and in such circumstances each capitalist country will be looking for its own self-interest. Thus the EURO is likely to disintegrate as each country in turn removes its currency link with the EURO.

For the record the result of the vote was (from those left at the end)

For the Motion 20

Against the Motion 9

Abstention 5

Undecided 1

One final comment/coincidence. The attendance at the meeting was excellent considering the fact that a joint meeting of Harlow Labour Party EC and Harlow Council Labour Group was called at only a few days notice for the same day and time as the EURO debate, which had been advertised some considerable time beforehand.

Brian Bostock

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