Historical perspective on EU Referendum

Professor Bogdanor and Lord Butler take historical perspective on EU Referendum Professor Vernon Bogdanor, Research Professor at the Institute of Contemporary British History, and Lord Butler of Brockwell, former Private Secretary to Harold Wilson, spoke to an audience at King's College London on Monday (09 May), considering the historical context of the EU referendum in comparison to 1975, as the date of the 2016 vote draws closer. The referendum in June is only the third plebiscite to have taken place throughout the whole of the United Kingdom and in 1975 this was the first time it had ever happened. At the time, voters were not able show their opinion on the European Communities (as it was then known) through their General Election vote as all major party leaders were pro-Europe. Professor Bogdanor detailed in his speech some of the political context leading up to 1975 and compared this to the situation today, including the party rifts triggered and cultivated by European issues - something which will be familiar to most voters in 2016 also. The split of collective responsibility seen this year was also something seen for the first time 1975. However, this in itself comes alongside further difficulties for the parties. Professor Bogdanor explained: 'The question remains, the Labour party split in 1980.