Britain's policy towards the European Community
Subtitle: Harold Wilson and Britain's world role, 1964-1967
By: Helen Parr.
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2005
Place of publication: London; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 231
Subjects: Wilson, Harold, Sir, 1916- -- Relations with Europeans; Great Britain -- Foreign relations -- 1964-1979; European Union Countries -- Foreign relations; Great Britain -- Foreign relations -- Europe
Description: "Harold Wilson's apparent volte-face on European Community membership in the autumn of 1966 has long puzzled commentators and Wilson's colleagues alike. Based on interviews, private papers and recently released evidence from the National Archives, this book provides a fresh interpretation of Wilson's policy towards the European Community."

"Britain's policy is analysed between 1964 when Harold Wilson took office, and 1967 when the French President General de Gaulle vetoed Britain's membership application for a second time. Britain's Policy Towards the European Community examines the rationale behind Britain's approach, explaining why Wilson launched an initiative for membership when the French seemed certain to obstruct. Helen Parr considers Wilson's handling of the Cabinet, and elucidates Britain's diplomacy towards the Six, placing British policy towards Europe within the context of Britain's foreign policy transition from a global to a regional role.

This book will prove to be essential reading for students of postwar British history and those interested in Britain's historical relationship with Europe."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.
Table of contents: title: Harold Wilson, Britain's world role and the European Community, October 1964-January 1965; title: Bridge-building and the empty chair : British policy towards the European Community, February 1965-February 1966; title: The politics of decision, March-October 1966; title: Free-wheeling with the general : the formation and conduct of the probe of the six, November 1966-March 1967; title: Finding a role? : Cabinet's acceptance of the European application, March-April 1967; title: The long haul to membership, May-December 1967.