The result of the 1975 EEC Referendum vote

Britain’s New Deal in Europe

The European Economic Community (EEC) was a regional organisation which aimed to bring about economic and political integration between its member states. It was created by the Treaty of Rome of 1957. At this time, only Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands and West Germany were members of the European Economic Community (EEC).

It is clear that the majority of people voting in the 1975 referendum knew the UK would benefit from being in the EEC, and that the EEC was both a ‘political & economic’ union of member states.

In 1967 the then Prime Minister Harold Wilson said to the House of Commons:

“But whatever the economic arguments, the House will realise that, as I have repeatedly made clear, the Government’s purpose derives, above all, from our recognition that Europe is now faced with the opportunity of a great move forward in political unity and that we can and indeed must — play our full part in it.” Prime Minister Harold Wilson, 2 May 1967. Source: Hansard

Harold Wilson, House of Commons Speech recorded in Hansard — 2 May 1967

In 1972 the then Prime Minster Edward Heath said:

“The community which we are joining is far more than a common market. It is a community in the true sense of that term. It is concerned not only with the establishment of free trade, economic and monetary union and other major economic issues, important though these are — but also as the Paris Summit Meeting has demonstrated, with social issues which affect us all — environmental questions, working conditions in industry, consumer protection, aid to development areas and vocational training.” Source: Illustrated London News. Prime Minister Edward Heath, December 1972

Prime Minister Heath, Illustrated London News 1972

In 1975 Margaret Thatcher said:

“Fundamental Feelings; with the ideal and vision of what we could do together if we put as much effort into using our freedom in peacetime as we do to defending it against an obvious foe; with a reasonable examination of the prospects for food, trade and jobs; and with the practical consequences that would arise for Britain if , instead of solving our problems as part of a partnership, we withdrew into the unknown.” Source: Illustrated London News 1975

Margaret Thatcher’s ‘Fundamental Feelings’ about joining the EEC. Source Illustrated London News 1975

Margaret Thatcher says Yes to Europe

Margaret Thatcher wearing a jumper advertising the member states of Europe. Notice there are far more British Union Jacks than other member state flags.

The headline of the NO campaign literature in 1975 said:

“THE RIGHT TO RULE OURSELVES

The fundamental question is whether or not we remain free to rule ourselves”

‘No’ campaign literature 1975

On 17 February 1986, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher enhanced the power of the EC by signing the Single European Act (SEA) in Luxembourg.

On 7 February 1992, Prime Minister John Major signed the Maastricht Treaty along with all the other EC member states, extending Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) to a whole range of areas.

On 1 November 1993 the European Union was founded.

‘After’ Margaret Thatcher had died on April 8, 2013, Nigel Farage the unelected leader of UKIP said on the 23 April 2013:

Nigel Farage holding a Mug with Margeret Thatchers face printed on it

“A young Margaret Thatcher would join UKIP” — Nigel Farage. Source: Evening Standard - 23 April 2013

Further reading

Winston Churchill and the European Union

Not a Winston Churchill quote, but it would have been if he had a crystal ball and knew about UKIP kippers!

The Winston Churchill Society: Mr Winston Churchill speaking in Zurich

I9th September 1946

Politico.eu: Winston Churchill’s family blasts Brexit support video

Mail Online: Why we’re joining forces to stay IN our grandfathers’ giant footsteps: NICHOLAS SOAMES and PETER MANDELSON on why Britain must remain strong in Europe

Bloomberg: Churchill’s Scion Says Brexit Falls `Between Terrible and Lousy’

Cherwell: No, Boris, Churchill would never want Brexit

Independent: Winston Churchill was right on Europe: Cooperation means we can solve major issues — like the refugee crisis

British Influence: Britain’s human rights law: endorsed by Winston Churchill, written by British lawyers, adopted by 47 European countries

Jon Danzig’s World Blog: Winston Churchill wrongly recruited for Brexit

Jon Danzig’s New Europeans Blog: A revealing deception about Winston Churchill

Jon Danzig’s New Europeans Blog: Winston Churchill — A founder of the European Union

Exposing UKIP News: Winston Churchill on Europe — The Quotes, The Truth

European Commission: Winston Churchill calling for a United States of Europe (PDF)

Emmeline Pankhurst and the European Union

What has the European Union done for Women?

The Guardian: Pankhurst relative condemns Priti Patel’s Brexit-suffragette comparison

The Telegraph: Emmeline Pankhurst’s great-granddaughter attacks minister for comparing Brexit campaign to suffragettes

Newsweek: Brexit-Suffragette comparison slammed by Pankhurst’s relative

Politico.eu: Relatives of Churchill and of Emmeline Pankhurst criticise video by Vote Leave group

The UK Military and the European Union

“Britain has global interests, so it must lead, and leading on the world stage means leading in Europe.” Colonel Tim Collins

“British membership in the EU is a vital contributer to the security and prosperity of Europe and the United States” Senator John McCain

Sunday Express: General Sir Mike Jackson furious with anti-Europe campaign group

The Telegraph: Military leaders to warn against a Brexit

International Business Times: EU Referendum: Military top brass claim Brexit would put UK at greater risk

ITV News: Former military chiefs: UK ‘stronger’ staying a member of the EU

The Sovereignty Myth

Bruegel: The UK’s sovereignty myth

The Spectator: Why leaving the EU would not make the UK any more free