The EU Referendum last time around (1975)
Do you remember the last time we had a referendum on Europe, in 1975? I do. Most Tories were vociferously in favour then. I was only 12 so couldn’t vote, but I would have voted No then largely on the grounds that Ted Heath had taken us in without bothering to consult. Now, 40 years on, I have grown up a bit and I am convinced that on balance our membership of the EU is a good thing for Britain and to leave now would jeopardise our economic and social wellbeing.
The EU Referendum last time around (1975)
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The Wilson Government’s Referendum on Britain’s EU membership was held 41 years ago on 5th June 1975. Given that Britain is set to have a further Referendum on the matter June 23rd you might think that the 1975 Referendum would be of some media note. However the media continues to be very bad at history. It requires things like research and fact checking, not matters there are big in the 2016 media not least because of resources.
The result in case (most likely) you are too young to remember or have simply forgotten was a fairly decisive vote to stay in the EU. The idea of a Referendum had been developed at least in part by Tony Benn. He saw it as a way in general of extending popular participation in politics and also specifically a way of getting round deep ‘no’…
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In the Dark 
February 20, 2016 at 2:03 pm
Enjoyed reading, thank you. Undecided at present though.. 💐
February 20, 2016 at 8:35 pm
Out! Love Europe, hate the EU…
February 21, 2016 at 11:51 am
Hate. Sums up the “out” campaign for me.
February 21, 2016 at 2:07 pm
Love democracy, hate the EU!
Here are the 1975 campaign leaflets, for comparison:
February 21, 2016 at 2:07 pm
Hate. Sums up the “out” campaign for me.
February 21, 2016 at 2:11 pm
If you think the EU is undemocratic, what is your view on the unelected House of Lords?
February 22, 2016 at 1:12 pm
Phillip, you might wait for my reply before deciding.
Peter: love Nazis (they’re still people), hate Nazism.
As for the House of Lords, I do not approve of it as it stands.
February 22, 2016 at 3:35 pm
Whether the pot was calling the kettle black, or whatever you meant by that.
February 21, 2016 at 9:20 pm
Very dangerous to leave comments ofn a political issue… However, it seems to me that successive UK Governments (of all parties, so maybe I can avoid being flamed) have failed to manage European institutions properly. They have not recognised that other countries have (a) objectives and (b) long term strategies. This means these other countries can manoeuvre the various European institutions (EU, CEREN, ESA, ESO, …) to meet their national targets, whereas UK governments have treated these institutions as rather low level bodies to send junior staff along to. It’s probably a relic of Empire – UK Governments don’t really believe that Johnny Foreigner might actually be more capable than we are because he invests in R&D and has a coherent industrial and economic strategy.
(Head now below the parapet).
February 22, 2016 at 1:15 pm
And people should be properly informed. The case for out seems based on personal ambitions, hate and provincialism. The case for in is based on scare stories and personal ambitions. Reported by a press who are ruled by what sells and by personal ambitions. And we are not allowed to opt out of that.