British Prime Minister Tony Blair would stage a referendum on joining the European single currency on May 1 2003, under proposals being considered by civil servants, The Independent newspaper reported this morning.
It said pro-euro advisers were pressing Blair to arrange for the vote to coincide with elections to English district councils, the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly.
The debate over whether Britain should join the European single currency has featured high in the British press after Europe Minister Peter Hain said last week the euro could replace sterling within three years.
The idea for staging the 'super Thursday' vote as a way of boosting turnout - thereby increasing the democratic legitimacy of a pro-euro result - has gained ground since the launch of euro notes and coins in January, the Independent reported.
