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Did Bovril keep us out of the euro?

Did a mid-ranking businessman’s purchase of Bovril in 1971 set off a chain of events that meant the UK never adopted the euro as its currency?

When James Goldmsith bought the parent company of meaty drink Bovril in 1971 he finally hit the big time. He described the deal as 'the most important of his career' and it made him a small fortune - which he would then use to build the early Eurosceptic movement.

Jim Waterson takes us back to the start of James Goldsmith's singular career and follows a series of events that ends with New Labour ruling out the UK's membership of the single currency.

Presenter: Jim Waterson
Producer: Robbie MacInnes
An SPG production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

Available now

14 minutes

Last on

Tue 1 Mar 2022 09:30
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Broadcasts

  • Thu 5 Sep 2019 13:45
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 FM
  • Tue 1 Mar 2022 09:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4