Description
Book SynopsisThis book offers an original interpretation of Britain’s relationship with Europe over a 25 year period: 1959-84 and advances the argument that the current problems over EU membership resulted from much earlier political machinations. This evidence based account of the seminal period analyses the applications for EEC membership, the 1975 referendum, and the role of the press. Was the British public misled over the true aims of the European project? How significant was the role of the press in changing public opinion from anti, to pro Common Market membership? Why, after over 40 years since Britain became a member of the European community, does the issue continue to deeply divide not only the political elite, but also the British public? These, and other pertinent questions are answered in this timely book on a subject that remains topical and highly controversial.
Table of ContentsIntroduction
1 Political elites
2 Sovereignty
3 The first application
4 The second application
5 Taken in by Heath
6 The 1975 Referendum on EEC membership
7 Post referendum
8 Positions taken on Europe, 1959-1984
Conclusion
Appendix 1: Labour Parliamentary Private Secretaries sacked by Wilson – May 1967
Appendix 2: The 33 Labour rebels – May 1967
Appendix 3: The full terms
Appendix 4: The 69 Labour rebels – October 1971
Appendix 5: House of Commons three-day debate – April 1975
Appendix 6: Conservative and Labour trajectories
Bibliography
Index
