British Prime Minister Tony Blair said today Britons could vote on joining Europe's single currency next year as he began a pro-euro campaign today.
The British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Gordon Brown, told parliament yesterday Britain was not yet economically ready to join the euro - adopted 18 months ago by 12 of the 15 EU members.But he pledged to take another look next year,holding out the possibility of a referendum soon.
"What's important is that we make a judgment over the coming year as to the progress we've made," Mr Blair told a news conference. "We believe there's a realistic prospect of progress on that".
Mr Blair said Britain's economy was moving more in line with those who use the euro and that although a gap remained, his government now had a clear set of policies to bridge it.
Aides say he fears loss of influence in the 15-member bloc if Britain shuns its currency for too long.
