MEP joins pub euro debate

Wetherspoon's beer mats got political

A North West MEP has challenged a national pub chain to table an "open and well-informed debate" on whether Britain should join the single currency.

Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies has written to the chairman of JD Wetherspoon, asking him to display promotional material explaining the benefits of joining the euro.

The move follows the decision by Wetherspoons last month to distribute half a million anti-euro beer mats and 10,000 "Save The Pound" posters to their 530 pubs.

The chain is also giving away car stickers featuring the slogan "Keep your job - keep the pound," and anti-euro postcards to send to Tony Blair.

Mr Davies backs the single currency

Mr Davies, who represents the North West in the European Parliament, said the £40,000 campaign is too one-sided.

"The Wetherspoons beer mats point to low unemployment in Britain but fail to mention that the rate of job creation within the eurozone has been much higher than in the UK.

"In the interests of balance, I think that they should display a similar amount of material in their pubs giving the other side of the argument.

"The range of political and economic benefits that would be gained from joining the single currency should also be pointed out.

"I am sure that a large proportion of Wetherspoons customers must be either Labour or Liberal Democrat supporters.

At least we've got people debating the issue - the pub's a good place for this type of discussion

Wetherspoon spokesman

"They would probably appreciate a genuine attempt to generate an open and well-informed debate on this important issue."

Wetherspoons chairman Tim Martin said at the campaign's launch: "I strongly believe that each major currency in the world is backed by a single government and that is a pre-requisite for economic success.

"For this reason, I feel that the euro is likely to fail and that it would be extremely unwise for Britain to join."

A company spokesman said on Monday that Mr Davies's "interesting request" would be considered.

"We've made our statement, " he said.

"Some people are going to think it's good, others will think it's outrageous.

"But that's good - at least we've got people debating the issue - the pub's a good place for this type of discussion."