Hague:No to Euro

Hague on the Today Programme: I won't abolish pound

Hague Opposes Single Currency

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, Mr Hague was seeking to rebut criticism from leadership rival John Redwood that he was too vague about his policy on Europe. He also spoke of the need to communicate the Conservative message with "zeal, zest and enthusiasm".

Responding to Kenneth Clarke's criticism that he was too young for the job, and Mr Redwood dubbing him "Hague the Vague", he said that he would not indulge in criticism of his rivals.

"I have taken great care not to criticise the other candidates. If you think you can win a leadership election, you don't spend your time criticising the other candidates, because you want them to work for you afterwards."

Pressed on his attitude towards the single currency, Mr Hague said: "I would fight the next general election on the platform that we would not abolish the pound, that we would oppose further political integration in Europe."

He said the prospect of a single currency was fast receding, but warned it would be a "huge economic risk as well as an immense constitutional change and I would ensure that the policy of the Conservative Party is to be opposed to it. I intend that the Conservative Party would be able to say unequivocally that we stand for the sovereignty of this country as, well as for cooperation with our neighbours."

Asked to confirm that as leader he would not take Britain into the single currency, he repeated: "That would be the policy on which I would fight the next general election. It's absolutely clear." But he insisted: "I am not going to use the word `never'. I don't know in 30 or 40 years' time if we will be in a radically different Europe, or if there will be a radically different proposition for a single currency. "But I know the principal objection I have for a single currency will hold good for a very long time to come."

Mr Hague said he wanted less government overall, both from Europe and from Westminster. He said people who worked hard, saved and took personal responsibility should be rewarded.

"The Conservative Party has some very clear principles and beliefs which need to be communicated to the country with zeal and zest and enthusiasm, and that is what I propose to do."

Mr Hague said the aim of a Conservative government should be to reduce the proportion of national wealth used in public spending. But he would not give a target so far in advance of a general election.

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