2006-08-21 06:38:51 · 26 answers · asked by I-C-U 5 in Travel ➔ United Kingdom ➔ Other - United Kingdom
The reasons are economic and emotional. Economically, Britain wished to retain control over its own currency and its economy was already doing so well it was unsure there would be any advantage to joining. Many Eurozone politicians and economists have had regrets about the Euro since 1999, and calls for Britain to join have quietened down.
Emotionally, the pound sterling - once the world standard - is part of British identity and the government knew scrapping it would be very unpopular. Some of the other old currencies are not as old, or have been weaker historically and thus have less pull on people's national pride. Britain is an island and has always been reluctant about some of the integrationist schemes to come out of Brussels. We have not had such a violent history as some continental countries, and thus do not feel the same need to surrender sovereignty for stability and peace.
There have been two incorect statements made. There was no referendum; the Conservative Party wanted one but the gov't knew they would lose. Nor is the UK the only EU country to retain its currency. Sweden and Denmark also did not, and the 10 newest members have not adopted it yet.
2006-08-21 07:45:01 · answer #1 · answered by Dunrobin 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know exactly why, but the Pound is the highest currency in the world that I can think of off the top of my head. The euro is, obviously, below the pound and that may be a reason they don't want it switched, brining more money into the hands of people to make up for the large gap between the euro and pound.
Or, maybe it's just because they're on their own island. Then again, Switzerland and Liechtenstein still have their Swiss francs. I guess it's just preference and England doesn't want to switch.
2006-08-21 13:47:42 · answer #2 · answered by Mandi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Incorporating the English pound would increase the value of Euro upsetting the Foreign Exchange. The Eastern block countries like Poland moving to the Euro would face economic assault on property values and goods exported if England participated. It is like the US accepting the median value of the dollar to a higher value peso
2006-08-21 13:48:05 · answer #3 · answered by mikey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They didn't want to. There are too many "eurosceptics" in England (or UK, to be more precise - we're talking about British pound, not English pound, as somebody has correctly pointed out). They want to keep their independent monetary policy.
Sometimes I wonder that may be the correct question would be not "Why doesn't England have the Euro" or "Why doesn't England join Schengen treaty", but rather: "Why is England still in EU?" :-)
Comment: Deutschmark was also quite strong (much stronger than Euro), but Germans have decided to join the Eurozone
2006-08-21 13:45:27 · answer #4 · answered by hec 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"The Sun never sets in the British empire". Thats the kind of pride they have, the English people of England. They ruled the world. The language in which the whole communicates, belongs to them. All kinds of living styles, and other basic technologies are the gifts of none other than , 'Joly Old England'. The laws of motion and gravity, the computer technology, and the outstanding economic theories are the best products of the British empire. The works of great art and science should not be forgotten as well.
It's English my boy. They ruled the Earth and thus, Pound it shall be their currency.
2006-08-21 13:49:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ten points to Dunrobin for quashing a few myths!
We may well adopt the Euro one day - it hasn't been ruled out - but in the current economic climate the £ is very strong and it wouldn't make financial good sense at the moment.
2006-08-21 19:55:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think becasue the pound is strong and they don't want to tie to the strength of the euro. example turkey's currency is less then euro there would be a upside to tieing their currency to the euro, i don't think england has that problem.
go england
2006-08-21 13:46:27 · answer #7 · answered by Level 3 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because the euro isn't worth as much as the British pound is.
2006-08-21 13:46:01 · answer #8 · answered by HULK RULES!! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For exactly the same reason the USA doesn't have the Euro: the government doesn't think it is a good idea.
2006-08-23 17:17:28 · answer #9 · answered by Pontac 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why do they drive on the left
Why do they refer to Europe as the continent
Why do they eat fish and chips with vinegar, in a news paper, and not with mayonnaise, like the rest of us
lol
Because they live on an island and are pretty capable of ' baking their own beans ' Why wouldn't they? Freedom of choice
2006-08-21 13:46:33 · answer #10 · answered by Avatar13 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋