Sixty years of strained relations

Britain in Europe – a timeline

1957

France, Belgium, Italy, West Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, six founding members of the European Economic Community, sign Treaty of Rome, but UK withdraws from early talks.

1963

Seventeen months after Conservative Prime Minister Harold Macmillan applies for the UK to join the EEC, the French President, Charles de Gaulle, announces he is vetoing the application.

1973

With de Gaulle, left, out of office, Britain is allowed into the EEC at last, but within a year it calls for major reform of the Common Agricultural Policy as well as changes in way the budget is financed.

1975

Harold Wilson’s Labour government holds a referendum over EEC membership, which splits the party but results in two thirds of British voters saying they want to stay in.

1983

Labour leader Michael Foot promises withdrawal from EEC in his election manifesto, but his party is heavily beaten in the poll by Margaret Thatcher’s Conservatives, losing a net 51 seats.

1984

A key victory for Mrs Thatcher sees her win a “rebate” from Brussels after she threatened to halt contributions because the UK was receiving far less in agricultural subsidies than members such as France.

1992

In what became known as Black Wednesday, Britain is forced to withdraw from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism after failing to stem intense currency speculation.

1997

Britain declared it would not be joining the single currency for the duration of that parliament, after it failed Gordon Brown’s ‘five golden tests’.

1999

Tensions over France’s ban on the sale of British beef during the “mad cow” disease outbreak. France is given an ultimatum from Brussels but the ban is not finally lifted until years later.

2007

Gordon Brown misses televised ceremony of signing of Lisbon Treaty, right, handing greater powers to Brussels. The treaty took two years to negotiate, after plans for a constitution were

2011

David Cameron clashes with Europe over plans to introduce a levy on banks and restrict London’s financial sector. The Prime Minister promises to bring back powers from Brussels.

2013

David Cameron promises an “In-Out” referendum if he wins the 2015 general election, which he does, and reiterates a manifesto commitment to hold one before the end of 2017.

2016

David Cameron negotiates “new EU deal” for UK but has to make series of concessions. He announces that a referendum on EU membership will be held on June 23.