Half a chance is better than none
The truth may eventually prove to lie somewhere between these views. But what ought not to be in dispute is that if, as appeared probable in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Mr Wilson--with the full sup- port of the Leader of the Opposition—is going to reject the Franco-German proposals Out of hand, he will be throwing away what may be the first real opportunity to draw this country and the European Community closer together —and what will almost certainly be the last opportunity for many years. For if we do turn it down, we shall get no more help from Bonn. Franco-German proposak, vaguely worded as it is, ought to be measured against the yard- stick of our own national interests—and these alone. Unfortunately, such is the fever- ish attitude adopted by the Foreign Office towards anything emanating from Paris, this looks like being the last standard which will be applied. Let us nevertheless try to apply it.
It is pointed out that an industrial free trade area has already been rejected by France, in 1958. It is argued that the British government could not be asked to enter into yet another wearisome negotia- tion without any assurance that it would not lead in the end to another French veto. It is said that no British government could accept the humiliation of 'country membership' of the European Community, with obligations but without rights. It is said that the experi- ence of the past ten years should teach us where our friends lie—and that we should pursue the Benelux proposals for ,political and technological cooperation outside the framework of the Rome Treaty and have nothing to do with French red herrings.
