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

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Erin Delaney
of the Labour Party was firmly against the EEC, certain members, such as Williams,
were beginning to see possibilities of socialism on the European stage, and a British
connection with the EEC, in this case through EFTA. She claimed that it was necessary
to start planning on the European level because “in ten or twenty years we will be trying
to win the control of Europe as a whole for socialism”. 15
By 1960, it was the Conservative Party who was warming to the idea of the
EEC, and broached the subject of accession to Europe. In debate, the Parliamentary
Labour Party criticised the federalist nature of the community. The most crucial
point they stressed was whether or not socialist ideals could be implemented within
the EEC. 16 During the October 1961 Conference, the debate on Europe, which in
July had seemed to be a main party focus, was overshadowed by Labour’s economic
and social proposal, 'Signposts for the Sixties'. The relationship between Labour's
proposals and the Treaty of Rome structured the arguments against the EEC.
Only two speakers gave unconditional support to the idea on entry, and the overwhelming
majority voiced concerns similar to those of MP Harold Wilson's:
“As I read the Treaty of Rome, and the intentions of those who at present operate it,
'Signposts for the Sixties' cannot be implemented without substantial amendment to
the relevant articles of the Treaty”. 17
The MP Mr. Tudor Watkins explained further, and synthesised the ideological
argument for socialism with his concern about the EEC:
“I wonder if Macmillan would have come to us and begged of us in some way or the
other to go to the Common Market if they were all Socialist countries. Not on your
life! […] Ideals can make institutions, but institutions can kill ideas, the ideas and
ideals we want as a Socialist Movement”. 18
Although sentiment within the Conference turned against entry into the EEC, the
Labour Party did not articulate a clear position on the issue until the following year. In
fact, some scholars have identified an abatement in the hostility towards the EEC in the
early 1960s. 19 Labour revisionists, such as Roy Jenkins and Shirley Williams, were
pushing for more involvement with Europe, and even some of the trade unions began to
point out advantages to joining Europe based on improved social welfare. At the General
and Municipal Workers’ Union (GMWU) Conference, A.M. Donnet declared:
“Joining the EEC will commit Britain to implementing the principle of equal pay. It
could also give added impetus towards longer holidays and shorter hours, and may
lead to an improvement of training methods and facilities. The harmonization of
social policies could lead to an improvement in family allowances”. 20
15. S. WILLIAMS, Uneasy Courtship, in: Socialist Commentary, April 1958, as quoted in R. DESAI,
Intellectuals and Socialism: ‘Social Democrats’ and the British Labour Party, Lawrence &
Wishart, London, 1994, p.142.
16. It is important to remember that throughout the early sixties, Labour was sending delegations to
the Congress of Socialist International and held its socialist responsibilities as a top priority.
17. H. WILSON, Purpose in Politics, Selected Speeches, Weidenfeld and Nicholson, London, 1964, p.100.
18. 60th Annual Conference of the Labour Party (Blackpool: 1961), p.216.
19. M. NEWMAN, Socialism and European Unity, Junction Books, London, 1983 p.163.
20. GMWU Journal, 25(8), August 1962, as quoted in L.J. ROBINS, The Reluctant Party, UK: G.W. &
A. Hesketh, Ormskirk, 1979, p.23.