ABSTRACT
The Conservative Election Manifesto of 1979 assured British electors that 'The next Conservative Government will restore Britain's influence by convincing our partners of our commitment to the Community's success. The 1979 manifesto contained a promise to reform the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) so as to 'reduce the burden which the Community budget places upon the British taxpayer' and to ensure that 'national payments into the budget should be more closely related to ability to pay'. Britain's contribution to the Community budget was second only to Germany's although Britain was only the seventh richest member state. At the same time, as Britain had a relatively small agricultural sector, it received the least benefit per head - some ten per cent - from the Budget. Mrs Margaret Thatcher insisted that the reform must impose effective controls on the rate of increase in agricultural and other expenditure, and distribute the financial burden more equitably.
