The 1975 referendum was not a sign of British enthusiasm for Europe
In short: In 1975, the UK held its first national referendum, resulting in a massive two-to-one victory for staying in the European Community. While often viewed as a triumph for pro-Europeans, the true motivations behind the vote were rooted in party survival and economic anxiety.
The 1975 referendum followed the United Kingdom's 1973 entry into the European Community. While the Conservatives finalised the deal, the opposing Labour Party declined these conditions, pledging instead a new negotiation and a national ballot. This move was driven by Prime Minister Harold Wilson’s objectives: to resolve internal Labour Party difficulties, secure better membership terms, and ensure Britain remained in the community. This period was marked by significant domestic instability, including the 1974 coal strikes and high unemployment.
The vote itself presented a statement regarding the results of the renegotiation and asked if the UK should stay in the European Community (then known as the Common Market). The result, announced on 6 June 1975, saw approximately 17 million people vote 'yes' and 8 million vote 'no'. This 67% to 33% split represented a massive majority of around 9 million people. However, Professor Vernon Bogdanor suggests that this outcome did not necessarily prove the British people had become 'enthusiastic Europeans.'
The decision to use a referendum was historically controversial. Until the 1970s, such votes were considered unconstitutional in Britain because they challenged parliamentary sovereignty. Even Winston Churchill had proposed a referendum in 1945, but Labour leader Clement Attlee dismissed it as a device 'alien to all our traditions' and an instrument used by Nazism and Fascism. Ultimately, the 1975 victory was influenced by a fear of the consequences of leaving and practical concerns like food prices, rather than a sudden surge in European identity.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Referendum on Europe, 1975 - Professor Vernon Bogdanor
- Also: The Referendum on Europe, 1975
- Also: Historical perspective on EU Referendum | Website archive | King’s College London
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