SCARED OF THE EURO

Robin Cook tells Boris Johnson why the government is not yet campaigning for the single currency

IT IS always a pleasure to meet Robin Cook, and never more so than this week. At last, I think, as we sit down on facing sofas on the first floor of his house at No. 1 Carlton House Terrace. What a stroke of luck, eh? Not only is this my chance to chew the fat with Cookie, raconteur, racing tipster and homme du monde. What we have here, bulging quizzically and asking his press man whether we are on the record, is the man at the eye of the cyclone.

Here is Cookie, just in time to solve the mystery that is baffling us all. One day we learn that Gordon Brown has gone off the euro, and is learning the joys of managing a strong, independent British economy. The next day Robin Cook pops up in Lis- bon and tells us we should gird our loins to scrap the pound; and the day after that, Alastair Campbell says there is no inten- tion to 'bounce' the country into the euro soon after the next election.

Just what the heck is the government doing on the single currency? Here is the most important decision to be faced by a post-war government; Labour has a major- ity of 180; we know they would like to go in; and what do we get? Drift, dither, vagueness, indecision and flux.

Why, I want to ask Robin Cook, is he the only man to be publicly championing the advantages of the euro? Why is Gor- don Brown keeping shtoom? Why won't Blair expend some of his massive public credit, and launch a crusade for the euro? First, though, we have a little light shelling of our mutual positions.

I contrast the British approach to Chechnya and to Kosovo, in the hope of elucidating Mr Cook's 'ethical' foreign pol- icy. In both cases Slav armies are guilty of brutal assaults on Muslim civilians, simply because they want to break away and establish their own republic. How come we bombed Milosevic, and offer only the fee- blest protest to the Kremlin?

Well, he says, Serbia and Kosovo are on the border with Nato. So what, I say. Rus- sia's on the border with Nato, and after an inconclusive tussle, we then have a ding- dong about Kosovo, which Cook regards as something of a triumph. And then, after we have belaboured each other with Albanian casualty figures — to the purpose! What on earth is going on? What is the position? Is the government in favour of the euro or not?

'The position is that we believe that in principle Britain would benefit from the euro if the five economic conditions are met, and if that point arises we will hold a referendum so the British people can decide.'

But when will that referendum be held? 'I expect the referendum to be held in the next parliament. That's what No. 10 said yester- day and that's what I expect to be the case.'

Hang on. In October 1997, Gordon Brown said he hoped Britain would be able to 'make a decision to join a success- ful single currency early in the next parlia- ment'. But this week Alastair Campbell said Britain would not be 'bounced' into the euro soon after the next election. Is this referendum going to be soon after the next election, or not?

'It is not a big policy question whether it is year one or year two or year three. The objective is clear and the timetable is clear. It could be year three. I am not speculat- ing.'

And why couldn't we join the euro now?

'It would be a challenge for us to har- monise interest rates with Europe at the present time.'

Surely this is all bilge. Surely the real problem is that people don't want the euro, and in fact are becoming more hos- tile to it. Why aren't you out there rallying support for it, instead of miserably waiting and hoping that the polls will change?

'If you read your daily papers, you will see that I am held up by both sides as the man who is actually going out and making these arguments.' But why are you on your own, Cookie, mon brave? Why isn't Gor- don out there helping you?

'When I speak, I speak firmly within party policy, which was set out by Gordon Brown. There is no dispute between me and Gordon Brown, in fact.' But what about Ed Balls, Gordon Brown's key advis- er, who has been going around saying he thinks economic and monetary union is a 'terrible idea'?

'I, I, Ed Balls is — is employed by Gor- don Brown, and he will adhere to Gordon Brown's position. I don't have a problem with Gordon Brown. It is to trivialise it to say there is a dispute between me and Gordon Brown. For the record I think he has been a very good Chancellor.'

But why are you allowing the pro-euro campaign to atrophy? The Business Advi- sory Group has not met since October 1998. The Commons committee on prepa- rations hasn't met since June. Shouldn't you be showing a lead?

am quite clear that I have to put to the people the reasons why it could be in Britain's interests to join the euro.'

Then why aren't you campaigning for the euro now, if you believe in it? 'No, the cam- paign for euro membership would only take place if the five economic tests were met.' And why not campaign for membership as soon as the conditions are met? 'With respect, Boris, a lot of the case I have been making is that there could be benefits.' So why (just to flagellate the point) don't we hear from Gordon Brown? 'I am the Foreign Secretary, Boris. It's perfectly possible for me to do it. The Chancellor is part of a Cabinet which takes part in dis- cussion on the euro and the single curren- cy. . . . 'And so on. It strikes me that this particular lemon has been squeezed enough. There's a dis- agreement about tactics, I would guess. Cook would like to campaign more vigor- ously now; Blair and Brown are worried that the euro is unpopular, and would dam- age Labour in the next election campaign.

Did he enjoy the Dome, then? Wasn't it just joyful to see those editors and Greg Dyke waiting in the queue?

'One feels for anybody who is kept wait- ing an unreasonable length of time.'

Really? Didn't you even have the tiniest gloat? The press has a job to do and I have a job to do, and we'd best proceed from a position of mutual respect.'

What did you think of the Dome, hey? Pretty fab? 'In the time available there was no other project we could credibly com- plete on the same scale.'

But are the attractions good value for billion? 'There is no doubt that they will pre- sent a very real attraction for many people.'

Worth a billion? 'We inherited a project which we successfully completed on time and that was a struggle.'

So not worth a billion? 'No, I didn't say that. Look, I'm not the Dome minister. I've given a perfectly proper general response.'

It strikes me that dear old Cookie is becoming quite grand. He obviously adores this address, Carlton House Ter- race, built by Nash. He likes Chevening, the only place where he and Gaynor can relax, he says. I wonder whether he enjoys meeting the Queen.

'Yes, I do meet Her Majesty on a num- ber of occasions, and you will appreciate that I do not wish to talk about that. What I do wish to say is that yes, I do have immense respect for the dignity and patience and diligence with which she does what is often a very difficult job, and in doing so commands respect and goodwill for Britain in every place she goes.'

I wonder which side he would have been on in the Civil War? 'Oh, I would have been on the side of Parliament.'

And would he have decapitated King Charles? 'I think we are getting into deep fanciful territory,' he says. 'Politicians are very wise to eschew hypothetical questions.'

Come off it, Robin! This took place more than 300 years ago. 'We both know where the Sun and the Mail would go with that one, Boris, and, thank you very much, I shan't.'

Does he watch much television? 'No, and for the reason I will have to go now, which is that I don't have much time. When time permits I'll take in the 11 o'clock showing of Friends.' He does not watch Ali G, but says that he will consider it.

`Do reflect to your readers,' he says, as we walk towards the door, 'that you met me fresh from conversation with Igor Sergeyevich [Ivanov, the Russian foreign minister]: Right-oh, I say.

And what next for Cookie? Without wish- ing to rub the point in, I've always imagined he wanted to take over from Gordon Brown as Chancellor. 'Oh, Boris if I were to assent to that, you really would have an embarrass- ing headline. I've had many interesting opportunities around the world. I've got a lot of friends among other foreign ministers and intend to go on doing so.'