United Kingdom referendum, 1975

The United Kingdom referendum of 1975 was a post-legislative referendum held on 5 June, 1975 in the whole of the UK over whether there was support for the UK to stay in the European Economic Community, which the UK had entered in 1973, under the Conservative government of Edward Heath. Labour's manifesto for the 1974 general election included a pledge for a referendum, so after Labour won under Harold Wilson, the referendum was held.

Related Topics:
Referendum - 5 June - 1975 - UK - European Economic Community - 1973 - Conservative - Edward Heath - Labour - 1974 general election - Harold Wilson

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In April 1970, during the 1970 general election Edward Heath said that further European integration would not happen ?except with the full-hearted consent of the Parliaments and peoples of the new member countries.?{{ref|Heath}} Despite this comment, no referendum was held when UK entered into the Common Market into 1973, by entering into an accession treaty in 22 January 1972 (with Denmark, Ireland, Norway) and passing the European Communities Act 1972 in on October 16, 1972. The UK joined the EU with Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom on January 1, 1973. {{ref|dates}}

Related Topics:
1970 general election - European Communities Act 1972 - 1973

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Harold Wilson was elected in February 1974 in a minority Labour government, gaining a majority in another election shortly afterwards October 1974. It was a manifesto pledge in the general election of February 1974 for a Labour government to re-negotiate better terms for Britain in the EEC, and then hold a referendum on whether Britain should stay in the EEC on the new terms. On 9 April 1975, the House of Commons voted 396 (70%) to 170 (30%) in favour of retaining the Common Market on the new terms negotiated by Wilson's government between April 1974 and March 1974. A deal had been reached in a meeting of heads of government in Dublin by 11 March. On 18 March, Wilson declared that "I believe that our re-negotiation objectives have been substantially though not completely achieved." According to a government pamphlet issued for the referendum, "the most important (issues in the re-negotiation) were FOOD and MONEY and JOBS". {{ref|pamphlet}}

Related Topics:
February 1974 - October 1974

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