The first referendum

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In 1975 the UK voted 'yes', by 67%, to the European Community (EC). Since 1 January 1973, when the UK first joined, Edward Heath and Harold Wilson sought a fundamental transformation of the UK's relationship with the EC in terms of membership and public opinion. Despite the majority in favour of membership, the transformation was never achieved. 'Richly researched and clearly argued, it offers new insights into Britain's entry to the European Community, its early years of membership and its first national referendum in 1975.'— Robert Saunders, Reader in British History, Queen Mary University of London 'A timely and insightful study, based on exhaustive research.'— John Young, Professor of International History, University of Nottingham 'As Britain enters a new relationship with Europe, Aqui’s book is a well-timed and compelling addition of a historian’s voice to this complicated and ever evolving relationship.'— Eirini Karamouzi, Senior Lecturer in Contemporary History, University of Sheffield ‘Aqui’s well-researched and perceptive study shines important new light on Britain’s bumpy and difficult debut as an EC member state. It is a fascinating read.’— N. Piers Ludlow, Professor of International History, The London School of Economics and Political Science 'A focused and highly original study of British government policies and public attitudes towards European integration during a short but crucial period of British membership in the EC.'— Katja Seidel, Senior Lecturer in the Humanities, University of WestminsterAlthough the United Kingdom’s entry to the European Community (EC) in 1973 was initially celebrated, by the end of the first year the mood in the UK had changed from ‘hope to uncertainty’. When Edward Heath lost the 1974 General Election, Harold Wilson returned to No. 10 promising a fundamental renegotiation and referendum on EC membership. By the end of the first year of membership, 67% of voters had said ‘yes’ to Europe in the UK’s first-ever national referendum. Examining the relationship between diplomacy and domestic debate, this book explores the continuities between the European policies pursued by Heath and Wilson in this period. Despite the majority vote in favour of maintaining membership, Lindsay Aqui argues that this majority was underpinned by a degree of uncertainty and that ultimately, neither Heath nor Wilson managed to transform the UK’s relationship with the EC in the ways they had hoped possible. Although the United Kingdom’s entry to the European Community (EC) in 1973 was initially celebrated, by the end of the first year the mood in the UK had changed from ‘hope to uncertainty’. When Edward Heath lost the 1974 General Election, Harold Wilson returned to No. 10 promising a fundamental renegotiation and referendum on EC membership. By the end of the first year of membership, 67% of voters had said ‘yes’ to Europe in the UK’s first-ever national referendum.Examining the relationship between diplomacy and domestic debate, this book explores the continuities between the European policies pursued by Heath and Wilson in this period. Despite the majority vote in favour of maintaining membership, Lindsay Aqui argues that this majority was underpinned by a degree of uncertainty and that ultimately, neither Heath nor Wilson managed to transform the UK’s relationship with the EC in the ways they had hoped possible.

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Pages: 328, Paperback, Manchester University Press