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Article: Blair is now putting the euro on hold There is a shift in the Whitehall mood on Europe which is likely to postpone a referendum for years, says PETER KELLNER. This has more to do with politics than with economics
- Article from:
- The Evening Standard (London, England)
- Article date:
- November 16, 1999
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 1999 Evening Standard - London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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MILITARY historians can trace the tactic back to the third century
BC and the Roman commander Fabius Maximus, whose cautious, delaying
tactics finally secured victory by wearing down Hannibal's troops. A
more familiar, everyday version is "softly, softly, catchee monkey".
Either way, it is coming to represent Tony Blair's approach to the
biggest decision he is likely to face, however long he remains Prime
Minister: whether to persuade us that Britain should abolish the
pound.
Until recently, Mr Blair's strategy seemed clear. He would call a
General Election in the spring or early summer of 2001. In the autumn
he would hold a referendum on whether to join Europe's single
currency, ...