Destined to Brexit? British Pathways to Membership in the European Communities 1945-73 (original) (raw)
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2010
On 19 December 1967, France formally imposed a veto on British entry to the European Community. The Labour government of Harold Wilson had applied for membership of the Community in May of that year, but the French, in accordance with the views of their President, Charles de Gaulle, implacably opposed enlargement negotiations. Yet just three and a half years later, in June 1971, accession negotiations between Britain and the Community recorded agreement on the critical issues, thereby removing the major diplomatic obstacles to British membership. Why this turnaround in fortunes occurred, and what contribution the governments of Harold Wilson and Edward Heath made to it, are the questions at the heart of this thesis. In its analysis of these historic events, this thesis provides numerous new findings. It re-interprets British actions in relation to the controversial ‘Soames affair’ of February 1969. It demonstrates the impact of The Hague summit upon the cost of British membership, a...
This paper looks to explain the similarities and differences between Brexit and the referendum on EEC membership in 1975. These two events, which take place forty years apart, have much in common, particularly their political and economic backgrounds and the rhetoric used by both sides of the debate. However, the social and political outlook of the supporters and opponents of EU membership has drastically changed during the last four decades. This paper will analyse why this change took place.
Review of 'Yes to Europe! The 1975 Referendum and Seventies Britain
Reviews in History
referendum-and-seventies-britain?format=HB#A45VdP8kf6r73vQw.97 Place of Publication: Cambridge Reviewer: Mathias Haeussler Until recently, Britain's first referendum on its membership of the European Community (EC), the forerunner of today's European Union (EU), had not exactly featured prominently in the nation's collective memory: few people seem to have known that such a vote had ever taken place at all. The 2016 referendum, of course, changed things completely, as suddenly 'Remainers' and 'Brexiteers' popped up from everywhere to profess their unrivalled knowledge of what allegedly had-or had not-taken place in 1975. Robert Saunders' thoroughly-researched and stylishly-written study therefore could not be timelier. In over 350 pages, it takes us on a colourful and lively journey into 1970s Britain, showing how the European debate in 1975 was inextricably interwoven with myriad other issues and concerns of the day. Whilst readers looking for neat historical analogies and unequivocal 'lessons from history' will be disappointed, the book nonetheless raises some bigger issues about Britain's delicate relationship with European integration from 1945 right up to the present day.
Britain, Edward Heath and the EEC 1963-1973
A An n nt t th h ho o on n ny y y J J Jo o oe e el l l H H He e er r rb b be e er r rt t t---W W Wr r ri i ig g gh h ht t t Contents Page Foreword Abstract I Introduction 1 Grande-Bretagne, et le "non" du General 7 Edward Heath: Lord Privy Seal 20 Into Europe, at Last! 28 Conclusion 38 Appendix I 40 Appendix II 41 Appendix III 42 Appendix IV 43 Appendix V 44 Appendix VI 45 Appendix VII 46 Bibliography 47 List of Abbreviations III FOREWORD Since this essay was written, Britain have elected a new Prime Minister, his name is David Cameron of the Conservative Party. The Prime Minister seems to have a quite different approach to the EU and its usefulness to Britain as a country. Cameron is arguing for better value from EU than we currently receive. These events we now face are partly due to the way the common market was designed. This essay will explain the history of the E.E.C (what is now the EU), and Britain's entry into it, along with the importance of it to our nation. This essay does not serve as a definitive guide, but instead as literature to understanding Britain's historical entry into Europe and the context in which it happened. Especially with the EU referendum being expected in the new few years, its time us British really developed an understanding of the EU, in both its historical and present context. I ABSTRACT This study of legislative and political history was written to bring an updated perspective on the British political and economic issues that led to Britain's entry into the European Economic Community. This dissertation has utilized parliamentary papers, newspapers of the period, biographies and books discussing the European Economic Community and Britain's relationship with Europe. Its main purpose is to analyse the former Conservative
The United kingdom Euroscepticism and The Brexit’ Referendum 1973/2016
2017
On 23 June 2016, Britain voted, by a way of a referendum, to leave the European Union after more than 40 years of membership, the British people voted for reform and the establishment of new type of relationship. The key historic variables which have contributed extensively to the UK's hostility and ambivalence towards the European Union, Notably, the various factors enhencing the mainsteam of the United Kingdom euroscepticism, empowered by the role of the British press. The Brexit would not only change the internal political atmosphere, but it could have crucial political repercussions within the EU and on its relations with other countries. IV Table of Contents Dedication.
The United Kingdom and the Future of Europe: Winning the Battle, Losing the War
Comparative European Politics, 2004
Although it is tempting to interpret the conduct of the UK government at the Convention on the Future of Europe (and the IGC that followed) as a continuation of the negative policy adopted by previous UK administrations in EU treaty negotiations, such a construal would be mistaken. UK preference formation was, in fact, more complex. Interpretations that highlight UK exceptionalism, the domestic pressures on government, and the role of Eurosceptic backbenchers are similarly problematic. The UK's experience at the Convention underlines, rather, the importance of institutional constraints at both the EU and national level. Moreover, despite London's success in achieving what is widely regarded as a very 'British constitution', the manner of its triumph and the failure to carry public opinion at home threatens to jeopardize not only the ratification of the draft constitutional treaty, but also the realization of the Blair government's broader European objectives.