Exercises in Power Broking

Abstract

The autumn of 1960 found British policy on Europe still in a state of flux. At home a stiff rearguard action could now be expected from the opponents of change while the uncertainty about British intentions abroad provided opportunities for ministers to advance their domestic position through the exploitation of their formal role on the international stage. During the last few months of 1960 Britain’s future European policy would be moulded out of the impact of Britain’s fluid international relationships upon an increasingly pliable domestic constituency. Commonwealth free entry and Britain’s international role were to be the two key issues.