Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYK0BJZF3yNb2fw1EdAXUQ/join EP 1 in our 70s series is here: https://youtu.be/-Pn5yGnrbxk Our whole 70s series is here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEbAHi3fZpuH9UFoUs9qNUbgBnjeay0qE In the Spring of 1975, why was the Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, so embattled? Why was the left so divided during this period? And, was Britain’s relationship with Europe already fracturing…? Join Tom and Dominic, as they discuss the trials of Harold Wilson, as the melee of 1970s Britain rolled on. Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Social channels: https://www.instagram.com/theresthistory/ https://www.tiktok.com/@theresthistory https://x.com/TheRestHistory https://bsky.app/profile/theresthistory.bsky.social https://www.threads.com/@theresthistory 0:00 How Britain got from the 1975 referendum to Brexit 1:16 Britain in crisis: oil shock, strikes, and Wilson’s fragile return 4:06 Wilson’s decline: illness, drinking, and political exhaustion 6:59 Downing Street chaos: Marcia Williams, Mary Wilson, and internal dysfunction 11:31 Economic meltdown: inflation, borrowing, and loss of confidence 15:07 Labour’s radical agenda, unions, and the failing “social contract” 18:04 National gloom: emigration and Britain’s declining global standing 21:25 Why Europe becomes the next political battleground 22:37 Why Britain stayed out of Europe in the first place 27:28 Britain joins the Common Market — reluctantly 30:17 Public attitudes: indifference and scepticism toward Europe 35:13 Wilson’s strategy: renegotiation and the referendum gamble 39:25 The renegotiation and setting up the 1975 referendum 41:03 Campaign begins: public apathy and slow start 44:07 The Yes campaign: Thatcher, big business, and establishment backing 48:07 The No campaign: strange alliances and weak resources 51:20 Tony Benn and the intellectual case against Europe 56:50 Media attacks and Benn as a political lightning rod 59:57 Debate quality vs modern politics 1:03:12 Why voters stick with the status quo 1:04:07 Referendum result: decisive vote to remain 1:05:24 Aftermath: Benn sidelined and political consequences 1:06:26 Economic crisis returns — the real looming disaster Video Editor: Jack Meek, Harry Swan & Adam Thornton Social Producer: Harry Balden Producers: Aaliyah Akude & Tabby Syrett Senior Producer: Callum Hill Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Head of Digital & Social: Sam Oakley