Voters in Yorkshire disagree with Tory policy on ruling out joining the Euro

3.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 8th Oct 2009

As Conservatives in Manchester for their annual conference heard from William Hague the party's Foreign Affairs spokesman today, polling evidence shows that voters in Yorkshire are rejecting one of the Tories' flagship policies.

The polling, conducted by phone on behalf of local Euro MP Diana Wallis, shows that people do not want to write off the Euro forever. When asked, a majority of two to one said 'no' they did not think it is in Britain's best interests to rule out ever joining the Euro. William Hague said in January 2009: 'We would never join the Euro'.

Diana Wallis, the Liberal Democrat MEP for Yorkshire & the Humber, said:

"It would be madness to write off ever joining the Euro forever. As the Euro and the pound near parity it seems that we should be keeping all options open. Economic policy should be considered on what is best for Britain not what is best to keep the Conservatives from falling apart over Europe."

People were also asked if they thought there should be more public information about the arguments for and against Britain joining the Euro. Most people (52%) thought that there should be more information; 37% thought there should not and 11% did not know or had no opinion.

Diana Wallis, a Vice President of the European Parliament added:

"There is a clear appetite for more information about the benefits or otherwise of joining the Euro and perhaps it is something that should be discussed more given the current economic situation and as the Pound and the Euro head towards parity."

Ends.

Notes:

The phone polling was conducted by YHLD Calling over the summer. Over 500 households were contacted.

1. Would you like to see more information about the possibility of Britain joining the Single European Currency? (Yes 52%, Yes 30%, 11%)

2. Do you think it is in Britain´s best interest to rule out ever joining the Euro? (No 53%, Yes 30%, Don't know 17%)

Conservatives rule out ever joining the Euro:

http://www.conservatives.com/News/Articles/2009/01/William_Hague_Why_Britain_will_never_join_the_euro_under_the_Tories.aspx