What they told us would happen if we didn't join the Euro!

The decision to launch the single currency is the first step and marks the turning point for Europe, marks stability and growth and is crucial to high levels of growth and employment.”  LORD DAVID SIMON BP Chairman, 1997

'From now on, monetary policy, usually an essential part of national sovereignty, will be decided by a truly European Institution.' -WILLEM F. DUISENBURG ECB president 1998-2003,31 December 1998

 “Joining the euro would increase our incomes and thus our standard of living…Now the countries of Europe have taken one more step towards making a truly unified market, using only one currency. If again we delay joining, we again risk falling further behind.”  TONY BLAIR UK Prime Minister,  1998

  “We cannot be members of the single market without being part of the single currency, the euro…In life, fighting for a minority view is sometimes dangerous and painful. But when you know you are right, and when so much of our national prosperity depends on it, we should expect our political leaders to act.” RICHARD BRANSON Virgin Group Chairman, 2000

“The reality of the euro has exposed the absurdity of many anti-European scares while increasing the public thirst for information. Public opinion is already changing…as people can see the success of the new currency on the mainland.”- KENNETH CLARKE MP, 2002

"The UK's national interest is at stake and I warn the government over a moment of painful misjudgement and lost nerve. Failure to join the currency would damage the country and Labour" LORD PETER MANDLESON March 2003

"Staying out of the euro would prove a disaster.... The price we would pay in lost investment and trade and jobs would be incalculable" LORD PETER MANDLESON May 2003

“We are writing to make clear our concerns about the implications for business if the Government rules out membership of the euro for the lifetime of this Parliament. Such a decision would be damaging for British-based businesses, British employees and the British economy as a whole.” - HARD SORRELL WPP Group CEO, et al., 2003.23

The euro has been a rock of stability, as illustrated by the contrasting fortunes of Iceland and Ireland.' - RICHARD CORBETT MEP I996-2009 and 20I4-, I6 January 2009

“The euro is a great success, and in today’s global economy, the pound is no longer an important currency. If we are not careful, we could become like Iceland in the next financial crisis.”  - SIR MICHAEL RAKE, BT Group Chairman,  2009

'Another suggestion that we can make to Her Majesty's Government is that, if it wants to make savings in the British public sector, it can do so by increasing the role of the European Union ... If the British Government wants to make savings, it can join the euro, it can give the European Union more powers and responsibilities.' - GUY VERHOFSTADT Belgian prime minister I999-2004 and leader of the ALDE Group in the European Parliament, 8 June 20II

“Business leaders appreciate the success of the euro over its first decade. It has defied the doomsayers who predicted failure.” - ROLAND RUDD, Business for New Europe Chairman, 2009

'Britain belongs to the EU.' - MARTIN SCHULZ president of the European Parliament 2014 - , I7 June 20I5