Time for SNP to admit Euro plans

As the Eurozone continues its descent into crisis, pressure is growing on the SNP to admit what they would do in a separate Scotland – where of course we would have no choice but to join the Euro.

Murdo Fraser MSP, Scottish Conservative Deputy Leader, said:

"It has not been pleasant watching our friends in Europe struggle of late, particularly in Greece, Portugal, Spain and Ireland. However, it is certainly a relief that we in Britain did not listen to the Euro-enthusiasts and sign up as well. If we had, then taxpayers would be facing higher bills as we would be obliged to bail out all member states in difficulty.

"One of the biggest supporters of the Euro has been the SNP, yet they seem to have gone strangely quiet on this of late. For years now, the SNP have been wilfully and cynically trying to mislead the electorate on the Euro. As Alex Salmond well knows, an independent Scotland would have to apply to join the EU. Any new member state has to join the Euro.

"With the Eurozone crisis deepening, the SNP owes Scotland an explanation over what they would do if they achieved their dream of separation. Peddling a misleading line is no longer acceptable. The SNP owe us a full explanation – and if they do ditch their policy of joining the Euro they have to tell us what they would do in its place."

Under their respective Acts of Accession, all ten States who joined the EU in 2004, together with Romania and Bulgaria who joined in 2007, are obliged to adopt the Euro once the required criteria has been met.

The United Kingdom and Denmark currently have a special status which allows them to decide when (and if) they wish to adopt the Euro as their currency. This position was set out in the Maastricht Treaty of 1992. There is no guarantee that this special status would pass to a separate Scotland, which would no longer be part of the United Kingdom.

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