Alternatives to joining EEC
Sir: It is frequently stated that there are no viable alternatives to joining the Common Market. Nothing could be further from the truth; if the British government were to play its cards skilfully then Britain might have a future to match her past, For instance, in the economic field, there might be a free-trade arrangement between Britain, the Six and other countries. This would provide Britain with most of the advantages of joining the EEC while not incurring the burdens. The net effect would be much more beneficial than the effect of actually joining the community.
Furthermore, on the political front, Britain might take the initiative by uniting with Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Such a union would be much more stable than any likely to come about within the EEC framework, and would provide a base for further political initiatives.
One apparent obstacle, Swedish neutrality,' would prove to be a rather small hurdle. The Swedes use ' neutrality ' as an excuse if they do not wish to do something (e.g. join the Common Market), but they are unlikely to allow it to inhibit them from doing anything which they earnestly wish to do. In fact, as any person who has met many Swedes will confirm, it is ludicrous to think of the Swedes as being impartial towards East and West (as ' neutrality ' implies).
Surely it would be far better for Britain to play a leading role in the creation of something worth while than to scramble on to an already established (but rather ramshackle) bandwagon.
R. E. G. Simmerson
Chairman, Conservatives Against the Common Market, 10 St Andrews Mansions, St Andrews Road, London W14
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