| Britain's Policy Towards the European Community: Harold Wilson and Britain's World Role, 1964-1967 Contributor(s): Parr, Helen (Author) |
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ISBN: 0714656143 ISBN-13: 9780714656144 Publisher: Routledge OUR PRICE: $161.50 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: September 2005 Annotation: Harold Wilson's apparent volt-face on European Community membership in the autumn of 1966 has long puzzled both commentators and Wilson's colleagues. Based on recently released evidence from the National Archives along with interview and private papers, this book provides a new interpretation of Wilson's policy. After coming to power in 1964, the Labor government had no intention of approaching the EEC on the kind of terms that would likely be available. Wilson aimed to establish 'wider European unity' with economic links between the EEC and EFTA and technological collaboration between Britain and Community countries. Parr demonstrates that January 1966 was a turning point, as the Prime Minister ordered secret studies of the implications of membership, aware that Britain would lose influence in Europe and America without evidence of Britain's interest in the EEC. Yet de Gaulle's attitude and the weakness of sterling meant an initiative for membership was far from assured. It was the July 1966 sterling crisis that finally convinced Wilson to make a bid for membership in the short term, against all the odds. Pressed by the Americans and preoccupied with domestic crisis, Wilson wanted an initiative to harness confidence in the government's economic policies and to provide a framework for Britain's continued presence on the international stage. He hoped he could persuade de Gaulle to admit Britain; but Wilson also presented an initiative convincing to European opinion, enabling Britain to enter the EEC after de Gaulle's departure. Without Harold Wilson, it would have been extremely unlikely that Edward Heath could have embarked on Britain's final, successful initiative so soonafter the 1970 election. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - History | Europe - Great Britain - General - Political Science | International Relations - General - Political Science | Public Policy - Social Policy |
| Dewey: 327.410 |
| LCCN: 2005000588 |
| Series: British Politics and Society |
| Physical Information: 0.77" H x 7.54" W x 9.44" (1.12 lbs) 252 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 1960's - Chronological Period - 20th Century - Cultural Region - British Isles |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Harold Wilson's apparent volte-face on European Community membership in the autumn of 1966 has long puzzled commentators and Wilson's colleagues alike. Based on interviews, private papers and recently released evidence from the National Archives, this book provides a fresh interpretation of Wilson's policy towards the European Community. Studying the development of Britain's policy between 1964 when Harold Wilson took office, and 1967 when the French President General de Gaulle vetoed Britain's membership application for a second time, this book examines the rationale behind the British approach, explaining why Wilson launched an initiative for membership when the French seemed certain to obstruct. Also discussing Wilson's handling of the Cabinet, and shedding light on Britain's diplomacy towards the Six, this work places British policy towards Europe within the context of its foreign policy transition from a global to a regional role. Examining an important event in Anglo-European relations, this is essential reading for students of post-war British history, and for those interested in Britain's historical relationship with Europe. |