The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Balls toughens Labour's stance on the euro

Shadow chancellor says that there is "no possibility" of Britain joining the euro "in my lifetime".

By George Eaton Published 06 December 2011 18:30

Speaking in the Commons, Ed Balls has just made the remarkable declaration that "there's no possibility anytime in my lifetime of a British government joining the euro". His statement represents a significant shift of policy by Labour, which had previously said only that it was unlikely that Britain would join the single currency in the near future. In his recent speech on the EU, Douglas Alexander, the shadow foreign secretary, said that while joining the euro "is not on Labour's agenda" there "is no need to be dogmatic on these questions", noting that "future generations of politicians may find that circumstances have changed".

But Balls, who is deservedly proud of his role in keeping the UK out of the euro, felt that an unambiguous statement was needed. Labour's policy reversal leaves the Lib Dems as the only one of the three main parties refusing to rule out euro membership.

Incidentally, for a list of prominent political figures who still support UK membership in theory, see my blog from last month, "Who still thinks Britain should join the euro?"

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Tags: Europe Ed Balls

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11 comments

Wed, 2011-12-07 09:57 — Stu (not verified)

to say that he must have worked out that Labour will get more votes, his popularity might soar and when Milliband quits he has a case to argue for the leadership? Sneaky sod... we see through you!

Wed, 2011-12-07 10:06 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

At last a "Top Politician" is saying what most of the people of this country are saying, the Euro could be gone by 2012 and yet the lunatics in charge of the asylum are spending billion terying to keep it afloat and bankrupting the World!

Wed, 2011-12-07 10:39 — Helen Wright (not verified)

It doesn't matter what he says. We surely all know that politicians change their minds according to which way the wind is blowing. Balls is a master of spin and we should never forget it.

Wed, 2011-12-07 10:51 — Hal (not verified)

Congratulations Ed. The euro is an austerity suicide club, and we should have nothing to do with it.

With sterling we still have the option of changing to an expansionary policy as soon as we can change the government. Only three and a half years to go.

Tue, 2011-12-13 01:07 — Eddy S (not verified)

think balls is one man that sarko would be afraid of i think we need to unleash balls onto sarko :-)

Wed, 2011-12-07 13:51 — John (not verified)

Interesting comment from Ed Balls, which actually seems to make logical sense for Labour supporters. Like Hal says, if you're in favour of higher spending and deficits, why would closer EU integration be a good thing when they're proposing to limit the amount governments spend?

I'd genuinely like to read a pro integration Labour supporters response as being pro closer European integration and pro higher spending are looking like ever more divergent objectives. I may be misunderstanding the Merkel/Sarkozy proposals.

Tue, 2011-12-06 18:39 — swatantra nandanwar

If thats the way you feel Balls then the sooner you go the better.

Tue, 2011-12-06 19:30 — nourredine (not verified)

Ed Balls is a spring chicken compare to the big beast of Europe.
I do not think he knows enough what hapen in these meetings in Bruxelles for him to put his cards down.
He is after a likabillity in the poll and that is not a good politic it is in "plus ca change, plus on continue"

Tue, 2011-12-06 19:52 — Indu Pendent (not verified)

"But Balls, who is deservedly proud of his role in keeping the UK out of the euro"

Thats because he was Brown's right hand man and over saw Labour's borrowing before 2008 and the banking crisis (the £350Bn Labour borrowed before 2008 but did not invest and now our kids need to repay it).

Labour has a fragmented personality and no strategy. Its only has short term tatics to win votes and power.

How on earth can Balls say he wont join the Euro and in the same breath say he wants the UK to be at the center of Europe? Its like Hattie talking out of both sides of her mouth at the same time.

Also, has Labours spin machine broken - surely it should be Milibandwagon jumping on the Euro opportunistically?

Tue, 2011-12-06 20:48 — Russell E. Willis

Proverbs 4:7 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) reads as follows:
"Wisedome is the principall thing, therefore get wisedome : and with all thy getting, get vnderstanding."
Ed Balls must use wisdom in determining whether the UK should be kept out of the euro.

Sincerely in Christ,
Russell E. Willis
P.S. - Please read Proverbs 23:23.