response to world affairs and relations with Europe Flashcards
The Labour Party that came into power in 1964 was not very committed to?
continuing the conservative policy of seeking entry into the EEC
in 1962 what had Hugh Gaitskell done?
fought passionately against Britain’s first application= told labour party conference that ‘it would be end of a thousand years of history’
=his opposition was based on the fear that EEC first step towards a federal political union
who were also against joining the EEC and why?
many of the labour left e.g Micheal Foot and Barbara Castle + trade unions equally hostile
-saw the EEC as a club for capitalists that would prevent Britain from following socialist polciies
europhiles meaning
term used to describe people who were enthusiastic about Britain’s membership of the EEC/EU
on the other hand, there were several Europhiles in the cabinet especially?
Roy Jenkins and George Brown(who had become foreign secretary in 1966)
Harold Wilson himself= more ambivalent (mixed feelings) why
he preferred the Atlantic Alliance and stronger links with the Commonwealth but he could also see the strength of some of the economic reasons for joining
- also very conscious of needing to keep labour party united on the issue
by 1966 Wilson was becoming more convinced of?
the economic arguments, and in October Wilson’s cabinet agreed to back a new application for EEC membership
-prospects of succeeding not very good
Britian’s bid to join EEC was in danger of seeming half-hearted why?
-doubts within labour
-De Gaulle was still president of France= little sign he had changed his mind about British entry
Fact Britain’s chances of joining were poor prevented?
those on the left wing of the party being too vociferous(loud) in their opposition
what happened in January 1967?
Wilson and George Brown went to Paris to meet de Gaulle - thought meeting went quite well
-they then toured the other 5 EEC countries,trying tog ain support
when did Wilson go back to Paris again?
in June 1967
how did De Gaulle put Wilson on the spot?
demanded assurances that Britain would detach itself from the ‘special relationship’
-no way Wilson would do this
what happened in November?
De Gaulle used his veto against British entry
-Britain’s application was again rejected
