PLACE MOUSE POINTER ON TEXT AND LEFT CLICK TO VIEW APPROPRIATE COMMENT
ABSTRACT From: Sir Edward
Heath, Wilton Street, London. YORKSHIRE POST LETTERS PAGE
Sir, - In your edition of
June 5, 2001 you ran an advertisement for the UK Independence Party. In that
advertisement the party claims that "The people of this country were told
they were joining the Common Market NOT THE EUROPEAN UNION."
There was no such
description by myself or my government.
On October 28, 1971, I received parliamentary approval for this country to join
the European Economic Community.
The House of Commons voted by 356 to 244 in support of the
motion: "This House approves
Her Majesty's Government decision of principle to join the European Communities
on
the basis of the arrangements which have been negotiated." >During that debate I was
quite clear
what sort of Europe I was recommending this country join, and it was not simply
a trading area.
I have had the vision of a Britain in a united Europe; a
Britain which would be united economically to Europe and which would be able to
influence decisions affecting our own future, and which would enjoy a better
standard of life and a fuller life. I want a Britain as a member of a Europe
which is united politically,
and which will enjoy lasting peace and the greater security which would ensue.
It should also be noted that two-and-a-half years after Britain's accession to
the European Economic Community the British people voted overwhelmingly, by
67.2 per cent to 32.8 per cent to remain inside it. There
was no truth whatever in the advertisement and
it should never have been published. I find his reasoning very unconvincing and give him six out
of ten for bilge.