The euro is coming

In mid-July the acceptance by Britain of the single European currency came a step nearer. The euro is now accepted, if not welcomed, by almost the entire business community, even in a euro-sceptical country like the UK. This is as true of retailers and manufacturers in the DIY business as in any other.
The recently re-elected Labour government is committed to offering the British electorate a referendum at some point during the next four years and will campaign in favour of joining. The Liberal Democrats are also in favour of early entry. The Conservatives, however, have historically been opposed. Now the shortlisting of Kenneth Clarke, the highly euro-enthusiast former chancellor of the exchequer, to be the next leader of the Conservative party opens up the prospect of all three major political parties being in favour of Britain joining the euro by the time the referendum campaign starts.
We will not know for sure until the middle of September whether Kenneth Clarke has been successful in winning the Conservative leadership. And the experience of Denmark shows that, whatever the views of the political establishment, the electorate can still come to a totally different view in a referendum.
However, his election would signal a new phase in the British political climate: manufacturers in the United Kingdom could look forward to more favourable export conditions, while suppliers from Europe would undoubtedly find it more difficult to supply UK retailers competitively.
Andrew RossDIY in Europe UK