Tourists targeted in pro-euro push

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Tony Blair is targeting British holiday-makers travelling to Europe this summer as a way of preparing the nation for an early referendum.

A senior member of the Cabinet told The Independent on Sunday that recent comments by the Prime Minister Tony Blair and Stephen Byers, the Secretary of State for Transport, were part of a campaign to confront holiday-makers with the single currency before they handle the euro abroad.

"The reason why there is an effort at this particular time to get people talking about the euro, and get big coverage for it is that people are now about to go on their holidays," said the minister.

And contrary to reports last week that Mr Byers had been slapped down by No 10 for suggesting a referendum Bill would be in the next Queen's Speech, he was not admonished by Mr Blair.

"No 10 had to do what they did because of the way it was reported," Mr Byers told colleagues. "I know the euro script inside out. I didn't depart from it."

Mr Byers' remarks are seen as the only set-back in the strategy by No 10 to raise expectations for a euro referendum next spring or summer. Downing Street is also understood to have had advance warning of the launch last week of the pro-euro Tory group, led by Kenneth Clarke.