journal of european integration history revue d'histoire de l ...

The Labour Party's Changing Relationship to Europe 123
asked: “Is the Schuman Plan a development of workers' control of the basic industries
of Europe, or is it a development of capitalist control and cartel agreements
which have always been detrimental to the working class”? 10 A representative from
a regional Labour party declared that “without public ownership and a policy of
full employment, the unification of European heavy industry will inevitably lead to
a restrictive monopoly, the destruction of full employment and of the workers'
standards of living”. 11
Members of Parliament also spoke out against joining the ECSC, focusing on
the dangers of the supranational aspect and the fears of a European body usurping
the Government's right to plan and direct the British economy. In 1952, while in
Opposition, Labour remained faithful to the values it had espoused when in office.
12 The Rt. Hon. Hugh Dalton clarified:
“There are some who propagate the notion of a federal Europe of which Britain
should be a member. The Labour Party, almost unanimously, has rejected that view.
We are not prepared to join a European federation because we are not prepared to
hand over to a supra-national authority decisions on matters which we judge vital to
our national life; such matters as the scope of socialisation, the means of maintaining
full employment or the distribution of wealth through the policy of fair shares”. 13
In 1955, the Conservative Government was invited to participate in the furthering
of European integration at the Messina Conference. The negotiations led to the
Treaty of Rome, which served as the founding document for the European Economic
Community (EEC). The Preamble resolved to ensure the economic and social
progress of signatory countries, though the articles mainly focused on the complex
details needed for economic integration. 14 The countries that elected to accept
the Treaty became known as the ‘Six’– France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg
and the Netherlands. Britain, under the Conservatives, sent a delegation to
observe, but as in the case of the ECSC, decided to remain aloof. In response, Britain
rallied the other European nations who were not involved in the Treaty of
Rome, to join a European Free Trade Area (EFTA). EFTA would not push for deeper
integration but would allow member countries to benefit from reduced or eliminated
tariff and non-tariff trade barriers.
The Labourite Shirley Williams advocated in 1958 that EFTA countries should
agree on certain measures of ‘social harmonisation’ that were already in place within
the EEC – in order to bring the two organisations closer together. Although the majority
10. Ibid., p.84. It is interesting to note that at this time, because of the strong unity of the Party, the
Labour Government is thought to clearly represent the views of the Party - this attitude and assurance
did not continue into the 1960s.
11. Ibid., p.164.
12. The Conservatives, led by Winston Churchill, won the 1951 campaign, with 321 seats to 295. Party
positions on the Schuman Plan did not figure into the election, as both parties were against joining.
13. 51st Annual Conference of the Labour Party, (Morecambe, 1952), p.113.
14. A section on Social Policy was included, as was the creation of a European Social Fund; however,
concrete action was mainly restricted to ‘making studies, delivering opinions and arranging consultations.’
(Part 3, Title III, Article 118, Treaty of Rome) At this time, Labour was still convinced
it could achieve its social aims through national planning.