Letter: Hague's damaging stance

Sir: You describe (leading article, 21 May) William Hague's Eurosceptic position, as laid out in his recent speech in France, as a largely political gambit; a position which is advantageous for both himself and his party to adopt, regardless of the national benefits. This stance is not only mercenary, but also potentially very damaging to the interests of those whose votes he seeks.

The strength of a currency rests, in the final instance, on the confidence placed in it by the people who use it. If Mr Hague has any real and specific concerns about the euro, then of course he should voice them, but simply attempting to inculcate fear of all things European is both dangerous and shameful.

No matter what Mr Hague or anyone else may wish for, the euro is going to happen. He cannot bring it down; it is too late to stop. And for all our sakes we had better hope it is a thumping success, because like it or not we will all be affected by it. The only winners of a euro failure, whether Britain is in or out, would be the financial vultures and the political nationalists; the rest of us would have to suffer the costs.

I would like to think that, given the choice, Mr Hague would prefer to be Leader of the Opposition in a successful Britain than the Prime Minister of a struggling one, but perhaps he feels differently.

ROBIN PRIOR

Southall, Middlesex