Peer says PM is ‘grossly overstating his powers’ in claiming that the Britain will never join the euro

THE PRESS OFFICE OF                                                           

The Lord Stoddart of Swindon

(Independent Labour)                                                                                          

News Release

29th March 2016

PM is ‘grossly overstating his powers’ in claiming that Britain will never join the euro says Peer

The independent Labour Peer, Lord Stoddart of Swindon has taken the Prime Minister to task for claiming that ‘Britain will never join the euro’, pointing out that Mr Cameron is ‘in no position give such an undertaking because it is not supported by our constitution, which makes it perfectly clear that no Parliament may bind its successor.’

In a written question to the Government, Lord Stoddart had been asking whether Parliamentary approval would be required for any decision to join the eurozone and why the Prime Minister has stated that the UK will never join.

Replying for the Government, Lord O’Neill of Gatley said:  ‘As set out in Protocol 15, the United Kingdom is under no legal obligation to adopt the euro as its currency. Under the EU Act 2011, a decision by the UK under Protocol (No 15) leading to a decision by the Council under article 140 (3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union would require an Act of Parliament and a referendum result in favour before a Minister of the Crown could support it.

‘The Prime Minister has been clear that Britain will never join the euro.’

Lord Stoddart said:  ‘I am not sure whether the Government either understands or respects the constitution.  The constitutional position is clear – no Parliament may bind its successor.  It is perfectly possible for a future government, of whatever colour,  to repeal the EU Act 2011 and take Britain into the euro, without even bothering to hold a referendum.

‘For the Prime Minister to categorically state that ‘Britain will never join the euro’ is palpably untrue and grossly overstates his powers.  Therefore, despite what Mr Cameron says, there is no question that remaining in the EU is a serious threat to the future of the pound.’

Ends

The full text of Lord Stoddart’s question and the Government’s response, is as follows:

Lord O’Neill of Gatley, HM Treasury, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL6811):

 Question:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether parliamentary approval would be required for any decision to join the eurozone, and if so, why the Prime Minister has stated that the UK will never join the eurozone, in the light of the fact that one Parliament cannot bind its successor. (HL6811)

Tabled on: 08 March 2016

Answer (22^nd March 2016):

Lord O’Neill of Gatley:

As set out in Protocol 15, the United Kingdom is under no legal obligation to adopt the euro as its currency. Under the EU Act 2011, a decision by the UK under Protocol (No 15) leading to a decision by the Council under article 140 (3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union would require an Act of Parliament and a referendum result in favour before a Minister of the Crown could support it.

The Prime Minister has been clear that Britain will never join the euro.