The relationship between the pound and the European Economic and Monetary Union: The pound is often under pressure because of Prime Minister Tony Blair's remarks about the possibility of joining the single European currency, the euro. If Britain wants to join the euro zone, British interest rates must be reduced to euro interest rates. If the public votes to join the euro zone, the pound must depreciate against the euro for the development of domestic industrial trade. Therefore, any talk about the possibility of Britain joining the euro zone will depress the exchange rate of the pound.