71 - The Vote To Go In

Ben Wright looks back at the drama and repercussions of the truly `meaningful` Commons vote that took the UK into the European Economic Community in 1971.

Prime Minister Edward Heath had secured a deal with Brussels but could not guarantee getting it through the Commons because of opposition within his own Tory party. The Labour front bench opposed EEC membership - but there were pro-European Labour MPs in favour and Heath needed their support.

The marathon debate was held over six days and was one of the great post-war parliamentary moments. In the end Heath, who described the parliamentary vote as a decision to take `our rightful place in a truly United Europe`, won.

The victorious PM returned to Downing Street that night and played the first of Bach's preludes and fugues on his clavichord. Harold Macmillan lit a bonfire of celebration on the cliffs of Dover. The Sun's headline the next day was `In we go!`.

As Parliament votes again, this time on exit, could Theresa May learn anything from her predecessor's triumph?

Producer: Adam Bowen

Ben Wright looks back at the dramatic 1971 Commons vote that led to the UK joining the EEC