NOW HE'S EVEN MORE ANTI-EUROPE THAN THE TORIES:

PM backs 'red herring' euro tests (EDDIE BARNES, 12/05/04, The Scotsman)

Blair’s comments come as the government attempts to limit the embarrassment caused by Denis MacShane, the Minister for Europe, who said that Gordon Brown’s five economic tests for joining the single currency were a "giant red herring".

The minister’s apparent gaffe was pounced on by political opponents yesterday, who claimed that it exposed the truth behind the Labour government’s hesitation over the single currency.

But in his interview with Scotland on Sunday, given before MacShane’s comments came to light, Blair insisted that his only judgment call on the euro was economic.

"Over the single currency, there is some misunderstanding here," he said. "I have never been in favour of joining the single currency - never - except in circumstances where the economic conditions are right, because it is an economic union in the end," he says.

"Although I think the political benefits are clear in terms of our position in Europe, you can’t make a compelling case for joining the single currency at the moment and therefore we shouldn't do it," he adds.

Actually, the politicall case is just as feeble.

Posted by Orrin Judd at December 5, 2004 8:20 AM