1 August 1961: Prime minister Harold Macmillan ‘not confident but hopeful’ of entry to European Economic CommunityMr Macmillan,a weary-looking father figure, at last held out his hand yesterday and offered to try to lead the Commons and the country into Europe, and whether he can find the way. There was a noble deal of kicking and screaming – the phrase was Mr Gilbert Longden’s from the Conservative side of the packed and excited House – and this was to be expected.
The cries of “shame” stabbing through the cheers when the Prime Minister announced that we are making formal application to join the European Economic Community came from both sides. So did the portentously interested applause when he insisted that we shall not take the final step unless our Commonwealth and other obligations can be reconciled,for otherwise the “loss would be greater than the gain.”[br]Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com