3.18 Foreign Policy in the 1970s Flashcards
How did Heath feel about the EEC?
Passionately pro-European
Who was the president of France while Heath was Prime Minister?
Pompidou
Who argued that Britain would be losing sovereignity if they joined the EEC?
Powell
What did Powell do while the EEC was being discussed in Parliament?
He voted against the passage of the European bill through Parliament every step of the way
When did Powell refuse to stand as a Conservative?
February 1974
What did Powell tell his supporters to do during the 1974 election?
Vote Labour
How did Labour feel about entry to the EEC?
Deeply divided
Who, in the Labour Party, was mostly hostile to EEC membership?
Labour Left
How did Wilson feel about the EEC?
Neither strongly for or against
How did Wilson keep the party together over EEC membership?
He promised a renegotiation and a national referendum
When did Britain join the EEC?
January 1973
Why were some people worried about Britain’s late entry to the EEC?
They would suffer by not being part of the formative years
How did Wilson exploit EEC entry?
Opinion polls showed a lack of support
What helped Britain’s application to the EEC?
Final secret negotiations between Heath and Pompidou
Who did Wilson include in his cabinet?
Both right and left-wingers
What did Shirley Williams say she would do if a referendum went against entry to the EEC?
She would leave the party
What did Wilson do, in relation to the EEC, in 1975?
Hold a referendum
What did Wilson allow his MPs in relation to the EEC?
He allowed them to campaign according to their views rather than a party line
Which side did Wilson and Callaghan campaign for?
Neither - they argued that they were neutral
What did a 1975 survey show about company chairmen and their desires for the EEC membership?
Of 419 company chairman, only 4 wanted to leave the EEC
What did Castle and Foot say that their objections to the EEC were?
It was bad for British workers
What did Benn, Powell, and Paisley say their objections to the EEC were?
Britain would lose independence