Following my publication of the referendum pamphlets, a reader wrote to ask what the British electorate were told about their Common Market plans by their leaders at the 1970 election, which elected the MPs who voted to take us into the then European Community.

It is quite interesting:

The Tory 1970 manifesto, on the web here

http://www.conservativemanifesto.com/1970/1970-conservative-manifesto.shtml

Said of its foreign, domestic and economic policy in general :

'These policies will strengthen Britain so that we can negotiate with the European Community confident in the knowledge that we can stand on our own if the price is too high.'

And, centrally:

‘If we can negotiate the right terms, we believe that it would be in the long-term interest of the British people for Britain to join the European Economic Community, and that it would make a major contribution to both the prosperity and the security of our country. The opportunities are immense. Economic growth and a higher standard of living would result from having a larger market.

But we must also recognise the obstacles. There would be short-term disadvantages in Britain going into the European Economic Community which must be weighed against the long-term benefits. Obviously there is a price we would not be prepared to pay. Only when we negotiate will it be possible to determine whether the balance is a fair one, and in the interests of Britain.

Our sole commitment is to negotiate; no more, no less. As the negotiations proceed we will report regularly through Parliament to the country.

A Conservative Government would not be prepared to recommend to Parliament, nor would Members of Parliament approve, a settlement which was unequal or unfair. In making this judgement, Ministers and Members will listen to the views of their constituents and have in mind, as is natural and legitimate, primarily the effect of entry upon the standard of living of the individual citizens whom they represent.’

It also pledged to introduce VAT, not in any way connecting this with the EC.

The Labour manifesto

Which can be found here: http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/man/lab70.htm:

...said 'This year, unlike 1961-1963, Britain will be negotiating from a position of economic strength. Britain's strength means that we shall be able to meet the challenges and realise the opportunities of joining an enlarged Community. But it means, too, that if satisfactory terms cannot be secured in the negotiations Britain will be able to stand on her own 'feet outside the Community.

Unlike the Conservatives, a Labour Government will not be prepared to pay part of the price of entry in advance of entry and irrespective of entry by accepting the policies, on which the Conservative Party are insisting, for levies on food prices, the scrapping of our food subsidies and the introduction of the Value-Added Tax.’

Both leave it to the judgement of the government as to whether the terms will be acceptable. Neither makes any mention of the sovereignty issue. Nobody voting could really have known the size of the blank cheque they were giving to either of the two main parties. No significant party was against entry on principle or promised to keep us out.