Q
[First words missing.] … that you should have been more positive. Do you regret now that that impression was given?
PM
I cannot tell you what impression you took. I can only say that if you read the manifesto and read our record, we have fought Britain's corner for Europe, for the kind of Europe in which we believe. And that is the kind of Europe that can be just as successful as we have been here in rebuilding our prosperity. We've been very positive, we've had by far the best manifesto, full of practical proposals, and we have a strong record of achievement, and if you want both a strong Britain and a strong Europe then ours is the only party to support.
Q
Aren't many of your supporters bound to be confused by your vision of Europe and the vision of Edward Heath?
PM
There are many different definitions of European monetary union and European union about which Mr Delors has disagreed, but in fact what Mr Heath and I fully agree on are the next steps ahead which are set out fully in our manifesto.
Q
Has it cost you votes?
PM
No I don't think it has. People know that this government has a record of achievement in Europe second to none. Our manifesto is full of practical steps forward, which will create both a strong Britain and a much much stronger Europe, both are …
Q
So you are pleased with Mr Heath's intervention?
PM
I am pleased that Mr Heath is supporting the manifesto and realising that the only way ahead and he is saying, is to vote Conservative for a strong Britain and a strong Europe, and that is what is so important, and he is fighting for that just as much as I am. [end p1]
Q
A Gallup poll carried out for the European Commission of 1500 top British companies shows that nine out of ten of their Chairmen and Managing Directors want Britain to be a full member of the EMS and a majority support a European Central Bank. Are they out of step?
PM
We are a member or the EMS, we are not a member of the ERM, … some people who belong to that do not have anything like such free movement of capital and they haven't abolished exchange rates as we have. I think you'll find that the manufacturers would much prefer to have … exchange rates and free movement of capital which is what we have.
Q
Are you saying that you think this poll is wrong though?
PM
I don't go by that kind of poll, ever. I go by what … when we tackle them, when we put all the facts before them, not just a quick question on a poll, we have free movement of capital, some of them don't, we have abolished exchange rate controls … It will be very interesting to see what happens when those controls go. We want those barriers down and we already have a good deal more than some of those countries.
Q
What do you think your chances are in this election, and aren't you bound to do worse than last time?
PM
It always depends on the proportion of your supporters who turn out, and I've said that it is absolutely vital that everyone comes out. Because in fact the European parliament now has more powers than the last time we voted. [end p2]
so it's absolutely vital that they come out and vote for a strong Britain and a strong Europe.
Q
Is it fair to see this as a referendum on your ten years of government?
PM
No, of course it isn't, that will come when we come up to the next general election. We've had three referenda already on how we've been doing and we've done handsomely.
Q
So what will this election change?
PM
This election is about the European Parliament and the role in Europe, and I hope people will fully read our manifesto as it is the only manifesto that is a detailed and constructive one about the way ahead, step by step, it is practical, we work together as independent sovereign countries steadily more closely and that is how to get the best European Community.
Q
If the Conservative do badly what will that mean?
PM
Not enough of our supporters have come out to vote, and I urge them all to do so.