Past Present Future 50th Anniversary Special: The 1975 European Referendum w/Robert Saunders
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Jun 5, 2025 Robert Saunders, a historian and author of 'Yes To Europe!', dives into the significance of the 1975 referendum on Britain's membership in the European Community. He discusses why the political landscape differed significantly from the 2016 Brexit referendum, including the surprising Euroscepticism of Labour and SNP and the pro-European stance of the Tories. Saunders highlights the role of immigration in the campaign, the influential leadership of Harold Wilson, and the strategic shifts that led to the Yes campaign's success despite a challenging start.
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Britain's Postwar Strategic Choices
- Britain's delayed entry into the European Community was strategic, not irrational.
- Post-war priorities included economic rebuilding, military strength, and securing food supplies, initially leaning on the Commonwealth and the US.
Referendum as Labour's Pressure Valve
- The 1975 referendum was largely driven by Labour Party division on Europe.
- The referendum offered a way to resolve the party's internal conflict by letting the public decide.
Sovereignty Unites Opponents
- For both Enoch Powell and Tony Benn, sovereignty was the central issue against the European Community.
- Despite opposing politics, they both emphasized national control and democracy.