Response To World Affairs + Relations With Europe

Question 1

What was lab view in joining EEC?

Answer 1

-lab govt in power 1964 + not committed continuing cons policy seeking entry EEC
-many lab left openly hostile like foot + castle — saw EEC as cult for capitalists that prevent Br following socialist policies

Question 2

What was Gaitskell view regarding the EEC?

Answer 2

-fought passionately against first application
-would be end of ‘thousand years of history’
-opposition based on fear EEC first step to federal political union

Question 3

Who were the europhiles in Labour?

Answer 3

-Jenkins
-brown - foreign secretary 1966

Question 4

What was Wilson’s stance on EEC?

Answer 4

-more ambivalent
-preferred Atlantic alliance + strong links with commonwealth but could see strength of joining
-very conscious keeping lab united on the issue

Question 5

Why did Wilson change his mind?

Answer 5

-1966 Wilson more aware of economic arguments for joining
-Oct Wilson’s govt agreed back new application
-but prospects for it succeeding not very good

Question 6

Why was the success rate low?

Answer 6

-Br bid in danger seeming half hearted due to doubts within Lab
-De Gaulle still pres France + little sign he had changed his mind
-Br poor chances joining prevented left wing being too vociferous in opposition

Question 7

What did Wilson + Brown do to increase Br chances?

Answer 7

-met De Gaulle in Paris 1967 + toured other EEC countries to gain support
-June 1967 Wilson went back but De Gaulle wanted assurances Br end special relationship with US but Wilson refused to
-De Gaulle used veto against bar entry despite other 5 countries wanted bar to join