Whose idea was it to set up Labour Against the Euro (Late) as a formal group?
Alan Howarth: I’m not sure that I know whose idea it was – it’s not a very formally constituted group at all and it includes a pretty broad spectrum of opinion across the Labour party. The main thing that we have in common is that we have all thought rather hard about this and perceive the difficulties for the centre left if the UK were to adopt the euro. JG: Is it a sentiment that is changing within the party – or has it always been there and is only now being exposed? AH: I don’t think it is a sentiment, I think it is an analysis – that is quite an important distinction. The debate that we have had in the country on the euro has hardly been a rational one. It has been visceral. It is not surprising that feelings should run high: questions of national identity are important. Part of what we’re seeking to do is cool the debate and at the same time insist that there has got to be a debate: there has got to be some room for reason. JG: What is the debate – is it simply yes or no to the e
