In retrospect it is extraordinary that a supposedly Conservative government whipped its way to giving up this nation’s thousand year old sovereignty in major issues, albeit (under duress) not then our currency. (But they’d even wanted that).
If you look back to the debates on joining the then EEC and the subsequent 1975 referendum, most of the political class either explicitly lied to the British public, or (much less likely), were subject to self delusion on an epic scale, that the EEC was not an intrinsically political and centralising project.
The lead minister, Geoffrey Rippon, lied to the Commons to get the European Communities Act passed in 1971/72 and even withheld some of the key texts from MPs so they couldn’t see what had been agreed to gain membership.
I remember the Leavers in 1975 were accused of being uninformed, xenophobic, fearmongering little England’s when they warned of the EEC’s political aims. Sound familiar??
It remains worrying that there are still Conservative who support the EU, some in the Commons (May), some in the Lords (Heseltine and Hammond), and some outside both but interviewed by the BBC when an opportunity arises.
This is not yet over, as can be seen every time something can be blamed on Brexit, as if it isn’t a decision of principle, and decades.
SD
Saul D
2 years ago
The Tories already had fissures around Europe during the 1980s. And in the background to the debate over joining a pan-European currency was ERM (signed up to in 1990) – sort of a trial run to link the pound to the Deutschmark, an economic decision which was already showing strains by October 1991. The collapse of the ERM in 1992, the loss of prestige, and a perception that Europe (Germany) wouldn’t help in a time of crisis cost the Tories the next election. The perceived humiliation hardened a bitter vocal core at the heart of the Conservative Party creating a disunity that helped Labour to three victories. It was Cameron’s attempt to placate his Eurosceptic wing with a referendum, that he expected to win easily, that drove the decision for the vote.
And the Maastricht Treaty was an issue in Europe as well as the UK – it wasn’t all sweetness and light. It failed in a Danish referendum initially, and only squeaked through in France. For Eurosceptic Tories the struggle to retain opt-outs combined with the lack of support over ERM left a sense that the EU had become an unstoppable train.
LV
Lesley van Reenen
2 years ago
Even a person from the Southern tip of Africa could see the folly of the EU and especially the Euro, which could ultimately tank the EU.
CJ
Cheryl Jones
2 years ago
Taking us into the EU without a referendum, then the Lisbon Treaty too, are directly responsible for Brexit.
Major and Blair. Quelle surprise.
The British public did not forget the contempt shown to them by the political elites. Thatcher was many things but no-one could accuse of her of being stupid or unpatriotic. Her Bruges speech is so amazing and eerily prescient it makes me sad we shall not see her like again.
NP
Norman Powers
2 years ago
A fascinating history, thank you. The events at the end with Sked and Farage feels like the butterfly flapping its wings in Tokyo.
Retrospectives always help to freshen the mind, or inform it for the first time. Anyone wondering about low public turnout for European elections based on little knowledge of the EU and its workings – on both side of the referendum debate – may wish to read Eurobarometer samplings of public opinion in the run-up. But the referendum was needed as it dealt not with ant-detail knowledge but a huge elephant visible to all. A tusker if ever.
Last edited 2 years ago by Matt B
MK
Malcolm Knott
2 years ago
Am I right in thinking that after Maastricht the EU corralled us into the Social Chapter by re-badging it as a health and safety measure?
If there’s one thing at which supporters of the EU excel, it is political manoeuvre, overt and covert.
WM
William MacDougall
2 years ago
Yes and no. The Tory split over Europe was there from the beginning, leading for example to Enoch Powell defecting to UUP and calling for Labour votes in England. Howe’s famous speech that led to Thatcher’s defeat emphasised disagreement over Europe. And if Maastricht had been defeated, it’s likely that the UK would still be in the EU.
AH
andrew harman
2 years ago
Love Alwyn’s work – have read his books on the 70s, 80s and 90s and would recommend them to anyone Quite similar to Dominic Sandbrook, who is also very good.
DO
David Owsley
2 years ago
Great piece, thank you.
IS
Ian Stewart
2 years ago
That’s a great sliding doors anecdote about Farage and Powell.
And for all those who hero worship Thatcher – this article shows how she lacked the strategic nous to anticipate Maastricht, as most other intelligent Europhobes did, and so she left it too late to do anything about it. Thatcher imprisoned us in the EU.
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In retrospect it is extraordinary that a supposedly Conservative government whipped its way to giving up this nation’s thousand year old sovereignty in major issues, albeit (under duress) not then our currency. (But they’d even wanted that).
If you look back to the debates on joining the then EEC and the subsequent 1975 referendum, most of the political class either explicitly lied to the British public, or (much less likely), were subject to self delusion on an epic scale, that the EEC was not an intrinsically political and centralising project.
The lead minister, Geoffrey Rippon, lied to the Commons to get the European Communities Act passed in 1971/72 and even withheld some of the key texts from MPs so they couldn’t see what had been agreed to gain membership.
I remember the Leavers in 1975 were accused of being uninformed, xenophobic, fearmongering little England’s when they warned of the EEC’s political aims. Sound familiar??
It remains worrying that there are still Conservative who support the EU, some in the Commons (May), some in the Lords (Heseltine and Hammond), and some outside both but interviewed by the BBC when an opportunity arises.
This is not yet over, as can be seen every time something can be blamed on Brexit, as if it isn’t a decision of principle, and decades.
The Tories already had fissures around Europe during the 1980s. And in the background to the debate over joining a pan-European currency was ERM (signed up to in 1990) – sort of a trial run to link the pound to the Deutschmark, an economic decision which was already showing strains by October 1991. The collapse of the ERM in 1992, the loss of prestige, and a perception that Europe (Germany) wouldn’t help in a time of crisis cost the Tories the next election. The perceived humiliation hardened a bitter vocal core at the heart of the Conservative Party creating a disunity that helped Labour to three victories. It was Cameron’s attempt to placate his Eurosceptic wing with a referendum, that he expected to win easily, that drove the decision for the vote.
And the Maastricht Treaty was an issue in Europe as well as the UK – it wasn’t all sweetness and light. It failed in a Danish referendum initially, and only squeaked through in France. For Eurosceptic Tories the struggle to retain opt-outs combined with the lack of support over ERM left a sense that the EU had become an unstoppable train.
Even a person from the Southern tip of Africa could see the folly of the EU and especially the Euro, which could ultimately tank the EU.
Taking us into the EU without a referendum, then the Lisbon Treaty too, are directly responsible for Brexit.
Major and Blair. Quelle surprise.
The British public did not forget the contempt shown to them by the political elites. Thatcher was many things but no-one could accuse of her of being stupid or unpatriotic. Her Bruges speech is so amazing and eerily prescient it makes me sad we shall not see her like again.
A fascinating history, thank you. The events at the end with Sked and Farage feels like the butterfly flapping its wings in Tokyo.
Little acorns…….
Retrospectives always help to freshen the mind, or inform it for the first time. Anyone wondering about low public turnout for European elections based on little knowledge of the EU and its workings – on both side of the referendum debate – may wish to read Eurobarometer samplings of public opinion in the run-up. But the referendum was needed as it dealt not with ant-detail knowledge but a huge elephant visible to all. A tusker if ever.
Am I right in thinking that after Maastricht the EU corralled us into the Social Chapter by re-badging it as a health and safety measure?
Yes, you’re right. Typical EU. Typical of the Remoaner establishment with their “People’s Vote” to overturn what the people voted for.
If there’s one thing at which supporters of the EU excel, it is political manoeuvre, overt and covert.
Yes and no. The Tory split over Europe was there from the beginning, leading for example to Enoch Powell defecting to UUP and calling for Labour votes in England. Howe’s famous speech that led to Thatcher’s defeat emphasised disagreement over Europe. And if Maastricht had been defeated, it’s likely that the UK would still be in the EU.
Love Alwyn’s work – have read his books on the 70s, 80s and 90s and would recommend them to anyone Quite similar to Dominic Sandbrook, who is also very good.
Great piece, thank you.
That’s a great sliding doors anecdote about Farage and Powell.
And for all those who hero worship Thatcher – this article shows how she lacked the strategic nous to anticipate Maastricht, as most other intelligent Europhobes did, and so she left it too late to do anything about it. Thatcher imprisoned us in the EU.