Euros prize for UK's best EU exit plan
Source: AFP |
July 17, 2013, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A British think tank has launched a competition for the best plan to leave the EU - offering a prize of 100,000 euros (US$131,000) instead of pounds.
The right-leaning Institute of Economic Affairs said it wanted to find a credible blueprint in case voters backed a so-called "Brexit" in a referendum.
Prime Minister David Cameron has promised to renegotiate Britain's relationship with the European Union and then hold a referendum in 2017.
Judges for the competition include former British Finance Minister Nigel Lawson and David Starkey, a historian and television broadcaster.
"Now that we have been promised an in-out referendum on Britain and the EU in 2017, it is essential that this momentous decision is preceded by a well-informed debate," Lawson said in a statement launching the "Brexit Prize." He added: "To date, much of this debate has generated more heat than light. It is crucial that we should look into the policy framework that would be needed if Britain decides to leave the EU."
Philip Booth, the institute's editorial and program director, said the aim was to find a "serious and credible plan (or alternative plans)" for Britain to leave the EU should that be the referendum's chosen option.
Britain is not a member of the single currency but the think tank said it had decided to offer the prize in euros.
Booth said the choice of currency was is symbolic of the fact that the judges believe exit from the EU should lead to "an outward-looking, freely-trading Britain and not an inward-looking Britain trying to shore up its own domestic markets and vested interests."
The right-leaning Institute of Economic Affairs said it wanted to find a credible blueprint in case voters backed a so-called "Brexit" in a referendum.
Prime Minister David Cameron has promised to renegotiate Britain's relationship with the European Union and then hold a referendum in 2017.
Judges for the competition include former British Finance Minister Nigel Lawson and David Starkey, a historian and television broadcaster.
"Now that we have been promised an in-out referendum on Britain and the EU in 2017, it is essential that this momentous decision is preceded by a well-informed debate," Lawson said in a statement launching the "Brexit Prize." He added: "To date, much of this debate has generated more heat than light. It is crucial that we should look into the policy framework that would be needed if Britain decides to leave the EU."
Philip Booth, the institute's editorial and program director, said the aim was to find a "serious and credible plan (or alternative plans)" for Britain to leave the EU should that be the referendum's chosen option.
Britain is not a member of the single currency but the think tank said it had decided to offer the prize in euros.
Booth said the choice of currency was is symbolic of the fact that the judges believe exit from the EU should lead to "an outward-looking, freely-trading Britain and not an inward-looking Britain trying to shore up its own domestic markets and vested interests."
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