BRITAIN AND E.E.C. Labour executive urges ‘get-out’ vote

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33804, 29 March 1975, Page 15

BRITAIN AND E.E.C. Labour executive urges ‘get-out’ vote

iA’Z.P.4. Staff Correspondent LONDON. March 28. The British Labour Party's national executive committee lias come out firmly against Britain's remaining in the European Common Market; it has agreed to put a recommendation to this effect —in direct opposition to the Government’s approval of continued membership on renegotiated entry terms —to a special party conference on April 26.

i A draft statement for that conference says 'that the new terms do not satisfy Britain’s requirements, and recommends Labour Party supporters to defy the Government, and to campaign for a “get-out’’ vote in the .June referendum. But the N.E.C. has agreed to allow the Prime Minister (Mr Wilson) and the Foreign Secretary (Mr Callaghan) to put their case to the special conference. Until the N.E.C.’s decision, this had seemed in doubt.

The committee of 29 members also accepted a compromise move which will effectively neutralise the party’s propaganda machine during the campaign for the referendum. Earlier, anti-Marketeers in the party had threatened to restrict headquarters' campaigning efforts for their own use, assuming, as seems highly likely, that the special conference next month

would come out in favour of Britain's leaving Europe. The party’s general secretary, Mr Ronald Hayward, told a press conference after the N.E.C. meeting; | “No decision has been made ito spend a penny piece on 'either pro or anti-Market! I literature. As far as 1 am concerned, the maintenance of the Labour Government! and the unity of the party far transcends the other! issues at stake.” The N.E.C. decision to: campaign for a “get-out” vote was taken on a major-! ity, although Mr Hayward! maintains that there was no; actual vote.

However, 18 committee members. including four Left-wing Cabinet Ministers, had signed a motion saying: “The Government’s new terms fall very far short of the renegotiation objectives which have been party policy for more than 10 years.”

All-party campaign A concerted all-party cam- ! paign to keep Britain in the Common Market has been launched with a claim that no Commonwealth country wants Britain to leave the Community. “There is no country friendly to Britain anywhere in the world which wants us to leave,” the Home Secretary (Mr Roy Jenkins) told a press conference. Mr Jenkins, who is presi-l dent of the Keep Britain in Europe movement said that! it would be “a catastrophic: self-inflicted injury” if the; coming referendum produced! a majority in favour of the! United Kingdom's leaving I Europe.

He touched on the deepl division within the Labour Party on the issue, saying: that while he respected the’, views of his colleagues who I favoured withdrawal from; Europe, they were mistaken.

Mr Jenkins conceded that] ihe was very far. indeed.! from being complacent about; the result of the referendum . I“I am hopeful, but I believe! : a great effort has to be put | I into the campaign." he said. The press conference was! jtold that the Leader of the Opposition (Mrs Margaret j Thatcher) and the Liberal' I Leader, Mr Jeremy Thorpe,; were both planning to campaign in favour of Britain's staying in Europe, and tl at the former Conservative Prime Minister. Mr Edward Heath — who took Britain! into Europe originally —I would also figure prominently in the cam-| paign. "Not to have gone into Europe would have been a; misfortune,” Mr Jenkins said: “To come out would! leave us weak and unregarded, both politically and! economically.” The British press says; that Mr ’Vilson faces an ex-! plosive situation, and has: even threatened to resign if! the party machine is used: against his recommendation that Britain should remain ( in the Community. Mr Wilson’s spokesmen have denied! I this, but the party is, to sa'H the least, undoubtedly under 1 great strain over the issue.

Mr Jenkins, who repeated his earlier pledge to leave the Labour Government if the poll resulted in a withdrawal, said: “I believe that the security and prosperity of this country depends on a ‘yes’ vote.” Mr Jenkins was flanked as he spoke by Mr William Whitelaw, now Deputy Leader of the Opposition Con-i servative Party, and by Mr Jo Grimond, former leader of the Liberal Party. Both are among the movement’s eight vice-presiden* All agreed with the Labour Home Secretary that Britain’s future in Europe cut across, and transcended, party lines. “This is one of the most important decisions in our history,” Mr Jenkins i said. !