Re-engaging with Europe 1945-73: A Tortuous Process
1 Introduction: 1945 Failing to come to terms with new status
2 Defence: BAOR, NATO, Independent Nuclear Deterrent, and The Cold War
3 Rejection of 'EU' from 1950 onwards, and concern over closer political European integration
4 Re-assessment of 'EU': Thorneycroft, economic problems mount, Britain now asks to join, and 'Non!'
5 We do finally join: Ted Heath & 1973, but we remain divided, Harold Wilson & 1976 Referendum
6 Conclusion: Back where we began
Some References
Britain Alone Philip Stephens
1000 Years of Annoying the French Stephen Clarke
Britain's Europe Brendan Simms
This Sovereign Isle Robert Tombs
PS It is good now that we have left The EU to go back to the reasons why we joined in the first place and to note that we did so with reluctance and over two decades of dither. It throws much light on the situation today, the topic to which we turn next week.