House of Commons approves UK’s entry into Europe – archive, 1971

Fifty years ago, MPs gathered to debate joining the European Union before voting in favour of entry, by a majority of 112

The UK launched its third bid to join the EU (then known as the EEC - European Economic Community) in 1969, shortly after the resignation of French President Charles de Gaulle who had vetoed the two previous applications. France, led by President Pompidou, was now more amenable to UK entry. Membership was approved in principle but whether the UK would proceed to join the EEC required assent of the House of Commons. A debate would take place across six days with the Commons eventually voting in favour of entry by 356 votes to 244.