So, a couple of unlikely things will have to happen for this, but if 1) Britain ever returns to the EU and 2) as a joining condition is forced to adopt the Euro, I can all but guarantee that most people will put the Euro symbol in front where the pound sign used to be, even if expressly told not to. Even those in favour of being in the EU.
Retailers would do whatever they felt like on labels and shelves unless it was enshrined law.
And the penchant for using imperial weights and measures would continue unabated across the lands.
as a joining condition is forced to adopt the Euro
That doesn’t happen. The treaties can force a country to join the eurozone once they meet the convergence criteria. But the convergence criteria include being part of ERM II for at least 2 years. Participating in ERM II is not mandatory, so countries can simply choose not to, and thus never meet the criteria for adopting the Euro.
For example, out of the six EU countries currently not in the eurozone, only one is participating in ERM II (Bulgaria).
Edit: and there are always opt-outs too. Denmark for example opted out of the Eurozone.
So, a couple of unlikely things will have to happen for this, but if 1) Britain ever returns to the EU and 2) as a joining condition is forced to adopt the Euro, I can all but guarantee that most people will put the Euro symbol in front where the pound sign used to be, even if expressly told not to. Even those in favour of being in the EU.
Retailers would do whatever they felt like on labels and shelves unless it was enshrined law.
And the penchant for using imperial weights and measures would continue unabated across the lands.
That doesn’t happen. The treaties can force a country to join the eurozone once they meet the convergence criteria. But the convergence criteria include being part of ERM II for at least 2 years. Participating in ERM II is not mandatory, so countries can simply choose not to, and thus never meet the criteria for adopting the Euro.
For example, out of the six EU countries currently not in the eurozone, only one is participating in ERM II (Bulgaria).
Edit: and there are always opt-outs too. Denmark for example opted out of the Eurozone.