1966 10th November
Second EEC Application Announcement
The Labour Government announces its intention to make a second application to join the EEC
European integration · permanent subject timeline
Britain and the EEC, 1961–1975
Applications, French vetoes, accession and the 1975 referendum. This page combines historical context with 14 matching records drawn directly from the World History Database EEC archive.
Historical context
Britain and the EEC, 1961–1975: overview and significance
What happened?
British policy moved from remaining outside the EEC to repeated membership applications, accession under Edward Heath and a referendum on continued membership under Harold Wilson.
Why was it important?
The period established Britain's difficult but consequential relationship with the European Communities and created political arguments that continued for decades.
World History Database records
Britain and the EEC, 1961–1975 timeline
The records below are selected from the 936-record EEC and European integration archive and rendered as static HTML in chronological order.
1966
1966
EEC Membership Conditions
Pompidou says Britain will have to devalue before being considered for EEC membership
1972
1972 31st December
European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
Britain leaves EFTA in order to join the EU
1972 31st December
Withdrawal from EFTA
Britain leaves EFTA in order to join the EU
1973
1973 1st January
Britain Joins European Communities
Britain officially becomes a member of the EU
1973 January
Fanfare for Europe
"Fanfare for Europe" celebrations are held to mark Britains entry into the EU
1974
1974 February
Election
Enoch Powell decides he cannot stand for the Conservatives because of their EU policy
1974 February
Election
Enoch Powell decides he cannot stand for the Conservatives because of their EU policy
1974 9th December
Conference of EC
Attends EC Summit where "the British problem" & the "European Council" are discussed
1975
1975 23rd January
EEC Referendum Announcement
Announces for the first time in the Commons a referendum will be held on EEC membership
1975 23rd January
Referendum
Announces for the first time in the Commons a referendum will be held on EEC membership
1975 March
Meeting
A "financial mechanism" is agreed to prevent Britain from paying the EC too much
1975 9th April
Commons EEC Membership Vote
The Commons votes by 396 to 170 to stay in the EEC
1975 26th September
Budget
Proposes a Public Accounts Committee for the European Parliament to control expenditure
Editorial provenance
Sources and editorial review
Compiled and edited by World History Database.
Historical context is editorial material; the chronology is generated from World History Database EEC records.
Last reviewed: September 2026.
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