ABSTRACT
By the early 1960s the British economy was beginning to stutter as the strategy of post-war economic growth based on imperial ties was failing to deliver significant economic improvements. Britain's political influence also appeared to be waning as successive governments defiantly sought to defend Britain's status as a world power with a seat at the top table of international affairs. Britain would be followed into the Community by Denmark and Ireland and it was hoped that this first enlargement would produce renewed optimism in the Community. Britain's changing economic fortunes took place against a period of considerable change at home and abroad. For Britain, the process of joining the Community had brought to the fore the lack of consensus within and between the political parties on the issue of European integration. Within the Labour Party the renegotiation did not resolve the issue of Europe, with the left wing of the Party failing to accept the government's decision.
