In 1957 the British government led by Conservative Harold Macmillan declined to join the EEC, leaving the French and the Germans to design its rules to suit themselves. In 1993 the British Government, led by Conservative John Major declined to join the Euro project, leaving the French and Germans to devise its rules unassisted by Europe’s financial experts. In 2011 the British government, led by Conservative David Cameron declined to join the project to restructure the EU, thus ensuring that for the third time the rules will be made by the French and the Germans to suit themselves.
The only Conservative leader since the War to have any vision of the UK’s place in the world was Edward Heath. Perhaps his love of sailing made him aware of Britain as an island nation and the importance of getting on with our trading partners. Of the other prime ministers, the one that stands out as having a grasp of the big picture is Tony Blair, who felt an immediate rapport with Paddy Ashdown. The latter’s military history had taught him the value of alliances and his internationalist view is carried on by Nick Clegg.
All the others, Wilson, Callaghan, Thatcher (who thought of the country as a big household), Hague, Duncan-Smith, Howard, Douglas-Hulme were petty nationalists, Little Englanders, Little Scots or Little Welsh, with no vision beyond the white cliffs of Dover.
For the Conservatives, this situation is unlikely to change, as most of the party activists and officials in the party heartlands are hard line right wingers of the UKIP persuasion, so no moderates or pro Europeans are likely to be selected for the blues. The reasons for this state of affairs will be examined in the next edition.
