Labour MPs want early euro poll

MANY Labour MPs want a referendum on the euro this year to cash in on the mood of optimism surrounding the new currency's launch, a poll shows.

A survey of 100 Labour backbenchers by BBC Radio 4's Today programme found that more a third want the public to be offered a vote on the euro by this autumn.

That would require a speeding up of the assessment process being overseen by Chancellor Gordon Brown, who has promised to reach a decision by June 2003 on whether his five economic tests have been passed.

The survey offered MPs a series of dates when the referendum could be held. More than half said they wanted it to happen by autumn 2003, in line with the Government timetable. Only 16 said they wanted any referendum delayed until after the next General Election, expected in 2005 or 2006.

While most of those calling for an early referendum were pro-Europeans, their number included a few Eurosceptics who believe that the best chance for a 'no' victory would come in an early poll.

Most opinion polls show that the majority of Britons would still prefer to keep the pound rather than adopt the euro, but an NOP poll carried out in Wales and published on Monday was the first to find a slim majority - of 41% to 40% - in favour of the euro.