Peter Shore

Peter David Shore, Baron Shore of Stepney PC (May 20, 1924 - September 24, 2001) was a British Labour politician noted for his opposition to the European Communities.

EEC

When Wilson returned to government in 1974, Shore was appointed as Secretary of State for Trade. His term in office was dominated by the renegotiation of the terms of British membership of the EEC, a pledge contained in the Labour manifesto as a preparation for a national referendum on membership; this compromise had reunited the Labour Party on the issue. Shore participated in the discussions without believing that any new terms would be acceptable, and during the referendum he joined with other anti-EEC 'dissenting ministers' in opposing membership.

Related Topics:
1974 - Secretary of State for Trade - Referendum

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The results of the 1975 Referendum, giving a two-to-one majority in favour of remaining members, damaged Shore along with the other dissenting ministers. His inclination to support a 'siege economy' ruled him out of consideration as a new Chancellor of the Exchequer, but Shore was moved to Secretary of State for the Environment by new Prime Minister James Callaghan in 1976. This move was a promotion but involved him in considerable political controversy. He called on local authorities to cut spending and waste, and criticised the trade unions representing local authority staff for failure to support modernisation. Shore also launched a campaign to revitalise the inner cities of Britain.

Related Topics:
1975 Referendum - Chancellor of the Exchequer - Secretary of State for the Environment - James Callaghan - 1976

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