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‘71: The Vote To Go In

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BBC Radio 4 - ‘71: The Vote To Go In

Ben Wright looks back at the dramatic 1971 Commons vote that led to the UK joining the EEC

The political drama and long-term repercussions of the crucial 1971 Commons vote to back Edward Heath's plan to join what was then the European Economic Community.

Ben Wright looks back at the drama and repercussions of the truly “meaningful” Commons vote that took the UK into the European Economic Community in 1971.

Prime Minister Edward Heath had secured a deal with Brussels but could not guarantee getting it through the Commons because of opposition within his own Tory party. The Labour front bench opposed EEC membership - but there were pro-European Labour MPs in favour and Heath needed their support.

The marathon debate was held over six days and was one of the great post-war parliamentary moments. In the end Heath, who described the parliamentary vote as a decision to take “our rightful place in a truly United Europe”, won.

The victorious PM returned to Downing Street that night and played the first of Bach’s preludes and fugues on his clavichord. Harold Macmillan lit a bonfire of celebration on the cliffs of Dover. The Sun’s headline the next day was “In we go!”. 
 
As Parliament votes again, this time on exit, could Theresa May learn anything from her predecessor’s triumph?

Producer: Adam Bowen

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