Prioritising domestic affairs and social reform, Harold Wilson boasted in 1967 that, for the first time ever, education spending now exceeded military spending. Wilson’s foreign policy exemplified the transition from hard power to soft power.
Despite intense pressure from Lyndon Johnson, Wilson refused to send UK troops to Vietnam, which some of his biographers regard as his finest hour. Nonetheless, he instructed the Foreign Office to ensure that the UK backed America’s policy in Vietnam in votes at the United Nations. Separately, he reversed Labour party policy to seek membership of the EEC in 1967, but failed to see that de Gaulle would again use the veto. After the UK joined in 1973 he favoured a renegotiation of the terms of membership and presided over the 1975 referendum, which delivered a 66% to 34% vote in his favour.
This talk examines Wilson's delicate foreign policy balancing act.
This lecture is part of the 'European Leaders in the Cold War' lecture series, taking place on Fridays from 18 October to 22 November 2024. You may either register for individual lectures or you may choose to register for the entire lecture series at a reduced price.
Please note: this lecture will close to enrolments at 23:59 UTC on 19 November 2024.