British national identity and opposition to membership of Europe, 1961-63 : the anti-Marketeers / Robert F. Dewey, Jr.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Dewey, Robert F. (Robert Frank), 1965-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

European Economic Community--Great Britain.

European Economic Community.

European Economic Community--Public opinion.

Public opinion--Great Britain.

Public opinion.

Nationalism--Great Britain--History--20th century.

Nationalism.

Great Britain--Politics and government--1945-1964.

Great Britain.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xi, 251 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Manchester ; New York : Manchester University Press ; New York : Distributed in the U.S. by Palgrave Macmillan, 2009.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the opponents of Britain's first attempt to join the European Economic Community (EEC) between the announcement of Harold Macmillan's new policy initiative in July 1961 and General de Gaulle's veto of Britain's application for membership in January 1963. In particular, it examines the role of national identity in shaping both the formulation and articulation of arguments put forward by these opponents of Britain's policy. To date, studies of Britain's unsuccessful bid for entry have focused on high political analysis of diplomacy and policy formulation. In most accounts, only passing reference is made to domestic opposition. This book redresses the balance, providing a complete depiction of the opposition movement and a distinctive approach that proceeds from a 'low-political' viewpoint. As such, it emphasizes protest and populism of the kind exercised by, among others, Fleet Street crusaders at the Daily Express, pressure groups such as the Anti-Common Market League and Forward Britain Movement, expert pundits like A.J.P. Taylor, Sir Arthur Bryant and William Pickles, as well as constituency activists, independent parliamentary candidates, pamphleteers, letter writers and maverick MPs. In its consideration of a group largely overlooked in previous accounts, the book provides essential insights into the intellectual, structural, populist and nationalist dimensions of early Euroscepticism.

Contents:

Copyright Page; Contents; Acknowledgements; Abbreviations; Introduction; 1 National identity and Britishness; 2 The Daily Express and the anti-Market campaign; 3 Pundits; 4 Pressure groups; 5 Politicians; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 24 Apr 2026).

Includes bibliographical references (p. 225-238) and index.

ISBN:

9781847797292

1847797296

9781781702147

1781702144

9781847792884

184779288X

OCLC:

818847385