In an unguarded moment at Lancaster House, Heath revealed that "The leaders of the Community expect the Government to use its majority in the Commons to carry it through. This was the only basis that the Six were prepared to negotiate" (Financial Times, 13.07.70)

Evans claims that this was a far cry from Heath's claims that his sole commitment was to "negotiate no more and no less", and his often-repeated assurances to MPs that they would be free to make up their own minds.

In practice, the 'free vote' was granted only after a barrage of 'unparalleled' psychological pressure on Conservative MPs. Pressure was applied at constituency level against MPs such as Neil Marten, who had come out against membership in their election manifesto. Evans noted the block on the promotion of anti-Marketeers, as well as regular junket trips to soften up doubters and lobbying by the EEC's propaganda arm (European Commission Information Service, ECIS).

NEGOTIATIONS A FARCE

European Commissioner Ralf Dahrendorf let it slip that if the real issues at stake had been placed within the negotiations and made clear to the British people, there is not much doubt that Britain would never have joined. Evans notes that after prices, the EEC was the issue most mentioned on doorsteps in the 1970 General Election. It was mentioned in only 3% of Heath's speeches, though.

As for the 'negotiations', the French demanded an unconditional acceptance of the EEC as it stood - as they'd always done. The only concessions were on marginal issues, mostly coming under the transitional period (i.e. only temporary arrangements).

Professor Nicholas Kaldor noted that the Government's 1971 White Paper on entry had so many unsubstantiated claims that it would have been considered fraudulent if it had been a company prospectus.

EUROPE UBER ALLES?

The 1970 Conservative manifesto promised higher standards of living through a larger home market. This was basically fallacious, as the recent Kennedy Round of GATT talks had reduced industrial tariffs to insignificant levels.

The manifesto was full of glowing imagery of higher standards of living, so a boom had to be created to coincide with entry - the money supply was increased by an average of just under 30% in the early years of the Heath administration. This was described as inflationary and 'monetary irresponsibility'.

The manifesto also promised that as negotiations proceeded, the Government would report regularly through Parliament to the country. Geoffrey Rippon became Heath's minister in charge of negotiations. His reports to Parliament dismayed the pro-Market Times so much that it described his manner as "bordering on the contemptuous... Mr Rippon's approach seems almost as though he has something to hide".

Labour pro-Marketeers had to lobby Commons leader Willie Whitelaw for a more conciliatory tone, without which they would be unable to defect to the Government side in the crucial vote.

Others have commented on Heath's humble origins and tried to portray him as 'a man of the people'. Columnist W F Deedes (a former MP) seemed to differ: "Sir Edward had an unattractive tenderness for anti-democratic systems, whether in Beijing, Baghdad or Brussels. The same disdain for others' opinions that made him unpopular with colleagues drew him to bureaucratic schemes that had almost no public support, such as the abolition of England's historic counties." (D. Telegraph, 18.7.05)

Evans noted that, between July-October 1971, the Government unleashed a flood of speeches about 'Europe' so that there was always a glossy interpretation of events available for public consumption. (An early inspiration for New Labour?)

EEC MEMBERSHIP WASN'T NECESSARY...

At a time of increasing debate on alternatives to today's EU, it is interesting to note that Evans effectively pointed out that there were several alternatives to the EEC for international cooperation. These were basically inter-governmental rather than supranational in nature:

- 'LONG LIVE THE CONSTITUTION'???
Far from being totally dead, about 90% of the Constitution can be found in the current Treaty of Nice. This body of European law is not only alive but kicking in the corridors of power.

The EU's leaders who unanimously approved the Constitution on 29.10.04 will be trying to graft some more body parts to this Treaty. (They have already agreed the accession of Rumania and Bulgaria, and want to bring to life bits of the Constitution)

Keen readers of horror fiction will bait their breath to see what rises from the slab, and if the monster so created will be the downfall of its creators.

Footnote: These notes were written months before incoming German Chancellor Angela Merkel made an appointment to her Foreign Ministry post - Frank Walter Steinmeier. No doubt a total coincidence, but you couldn't make it up.