Labour and Europe, 1951-1963 In 1961, Hugh Gaitskell delivered a speech to the Labour Party Conference which revealed his opposition to the EEC. He argued that joining would allow Europeans to have influence over political decisions in the UK and could “mean the end of 1,000 years of history” by leading to a European federation. During the 1950s and early 1960s, Labour remained largely hostile towards European integration. The party still had a strong attachment to the Commonwealth Some in Gaitskell’s Shadow Cabinet supported the Common Market e.g. Alfred Robens (Shadow Foreign Secretary), Anthony Crosland (MP for Great Grimsby, future Education Secretary)

Labour and Europe, 1964 - 1970 The Labour Party manifesto shows that under Wilson, Labour’s priority remained with the Commonwealth but aimed to build stronger relations with Europe. The party was largely divided over the issue of the EEC in the 1960s – most of the left opposed it on the grounds of sovereignty and democracy (Tony Benn, Barbara Castle etc.) Others supported the idea as it would boost the country’s economy (Jenkins, Healey etc.) Wilson’s application in 1967 could be seen as evidence that the party was pro-European but it was not based on the principle of integrating with Europe. It was much more about mundane and practical, especially economic, considerations at a time when trade between the six founding members of the EEC was booming.

Learning Task One Examine all of the political cartoons given to you by your teacher. For each: Identify what the cartoonist’s message Use precise contextual knowledge to explain the cartoonist’s message.

‘The Labour Party was largely a Eurosceptic party between 1951 and 1979’ How far do you agree with this statement?

‘The Labour Party were largely a Eurosceptic party between 1951 and 1979’ How far do you agree with this statement? Arguments supporting statement Arguments countering statement In 1950s, Labour were largely hostile to European integration; favouring trade with Commonwealth. Example: Gaitskell’s speech in 1961 which argued Britain would lose 1,000 years of history. Although Wilson applied in 1967, his motives for doing so were not based on the principle of integrating with Europe. It was much more about mundane and practical, especially economic, considerations at a time when trade between the six founding members of the EEC was booming. Euroscepticism growing in the 1960s from the Labour left – Benn, Castle arguing about loss of sovereignty. ‘64 Manifesto claims Commonwealth is priority. Debate surrounding 1971 bill to enter EEC came up against opposition form parliament. Wilson could have thrown his party behind the bill and used the party whip to ensure it got through, but chose not to do this to maintain party unity. Labour left attacked the bill as undemocratic and dangerous. Labour giants like Healey voted against it as he opposed a monetary or political union 1975 Referendum campaign showed the extent of Labour’s Euroscepticism – Benn and Jenkins debating on Panorama. The battle between Benn and the media surrounding Europe. Labour Party conference in April 1975 voted yes for Britain to leave the EEC 2-1, most of the votes came from the two biggest unions. Although Gaitskell was against, some members of the party supported entry in 1961 e.g. Anthony Crosland. Crosland argued more for the cultural and political benefits of entry rather economic. Although Wilson’s application in 1967 was not successful, he did make real attempts to build strong relationships with European leaders as promised in the 64 manifesto e.g. West Germany, France etc. In 1971, there were many Labour MPs who debated the bill in the commons and 69 even voted in favour of it helping Heath succeed in taking Britain into the Common Market. In 1974 official party policy was not opposed to Britain’s membership of the EEC; rather it opposed the terms negotiated by Heath in 1971. There were many in the party who campaign quite passionately to keep Britain in Europe in 1975, e.g. Roy Jenkins, Shirley Williams