Harold Wilson Opposes Britain's Entry into Europe - Extended Interview (1971)

On 28 July 1971, Labour Party leader Harold Wilson was interviewed by ITN's George Ffitch and Julian Haviland about his opposition to Britain's entry into the European Common Market (ECM), also known as the European Economic Community (EEC). Wilson insisted that his opposition was not ideological or absolute, and was based instead on the specific terms under which Conservative Prime Minister Edward Heath intended to lead the country into the trading bloc. Dismissing the pro-entry statements made by members of his former cabinet and put to him by Haviland, Wilson argued that there was a "hatchet job" going on in the press, which he argued was largely biased in favour of Britain's entry into the Common Market. But, while he admitted he did on occasion become "disenchanted" with "wild accusations" against him in the press, he insisted he was in no way discouraged in his role as leader of the Labour Party.

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