Letter: Dispelling the myths about our original membership of the European Community
Protesters take part in a March for Europe rally against Brexit. Photograph: Matt Crossick/ EMPICS Entertainment. - Credit: Empics Entertainment
Stephen Bayley wants to set the record straight on our original membership of the European Community - it was never just about trade, he argues.
Reading the Wilson government's leaflet about the 1975 referendum, sent to every household in the country, is a very interesting exercise. For one thing, it dispels one of the big Brexit myths about our original membership of the European Community – that it was only ever about trade.
The leaflet clearly states:
You may also want to watch:
'The aims of the Common Market are:
- to bring together the peoples of Europe
Most Read
- 1 Our PM demonstrates why Latin lessons plan is a bad idea
- 2 Twilight of the golden boy
- 3 30 great European books for the beach
- 4 Boris Johnson’s latest offence shouldn’t be overlooked
- 5 Can King Louis turn back the clock?
- 6 Maneskin and the Italian rock revival
- 7 The cannabis conundrum
- 8 Empty shelves are partly down to Brexit - but Leavers won't admit it
- 9 Priti Patel - the poster girl for our poisonous politics
- 10 Has something shifted in sado-populist Britain?
- to raise living standards and improve working conditions
- to promote growth and boost world trade
- to help the poorer regions of Europe and the rest of the world
- to help maintain peace and freedom'
The trajectory for later development seems fairly clear.
Secondly it has interesting things to say about the concept of sovereignty in the modern world:
'...in the modern world even Super Powers like America and Russia do not have complete freedom of action. Medium-sized nations like Britain are more and more subject to economic and political forces which we cannot control on our own.'
'...Through membership of the Market we are better able to advance and protect our national interests. This is the essence of sovereignty.'
'...Whether we are in the Market or not, Common Market policies are going to affect every family in the country. Inside the Market we can play a major part in deciding these policies. Outside, we are on our own.'
Different times, I know, but how I wish something as clear and unequivocal had been produced two years ago!
Stephen Bayley
• Send your letters for publication to letters@theneweuropean.co.uk
MORE: Subscribe to The New European for six issues for just £1 and receive two free gifts
MORE: Download the latest free podcast from The New European
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
