ABSTRACT
The British people were asked in a referendum in June 1975, whether they wished the United Kingdom to stay in the European Economic Community (EEC). The referendum was vigorously contested and, notwithstanding the Labour government's endorsement of continued membership, prominent Labour speakers like Anthony Wedgwood Benn and Peter Shore, and some Conservatives, made their opposition very plain. The arguments were concerned both with the economic consequences of membership and with the broad political implications. Some aspects of Community policy which both political parties sought to modify stemmed from the fact that Britain had in the end joined an organization which she had played no part in shaping. For their part, the British immediately set about encouraging the formation of a European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in which she would be joined by Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and Portugal. The economic impact might be severe in some sectors, but in others there were great opportunities.
