LATEST opinion polls suggest that a clear majority of people is opposed to Britain joining the European single currency. So let me antagonise all the euro-sceptics by saying that the majority is simply wrong.

I am not surprised by the poll findings. People here are fed a daily diet of lies and distortions about Europe which the government does precious little to counter.

Sensible debate about serious issues gets buried beneath a torrent of anti-European propaganda which too often is xenophobic or so crudely nationalistic as to be downright evil.

The euro is now established as one of the three leading currencies in the world. For those within the zone it means a currency free from the 'Black Wednesday' speculation which has hit the pound in the past.

It means low inflation, reduced interest and mortgage rates, easier access to a bigger market, more investment and greater prosperity.

The high pound has given housebuyers here the highest mortgage rates in Europe. It has cost us more than 140,000 manufacturing jobs over the past 18 months.

The National Farmers Union tells me that agriculture would still have problems if Britain was now in the euro, but that those problems would be much less than they are in reality.

When the time comes, I'll be voting for Britain to join the single currency at the earliest practical date.

CHRIS DAVIES MEP (Liberal Democrat - North West), Castle Street, Stockport.

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