1975 brought the first real referendum in British politics. Polls in 1973 prior to this had shown significant British antipathy towards entry to the Common Market. It seems likely that two voters in three (or thereabouts) were against entry.Against this democratic backcloth, Liar Heath took us into his pet project. The following year, he lost a General Election and many pointed at reasons other than this slap in the public's face for his defeat. They may well be wrong - at least in part.
Wilson had cleverly promised the 1975 referendum on leaving the Common Market.
As a committed europhile himself, this was clearly a tool to win power and that just left him the difficult task of winning a referendum vote which at times seemed impossible.
The major parties united and it was only the left and right who were against.
I fell for the propaganda and thought "We are in - we might as well stay in, I suppose" - which was arguably the worst mistake made in my life.
But here is where it all gets rather interesting. There is a conspiracy theory which suggests that the vote was rigged.
Okay - the 'Yes' side had all the media coverage and the government backing and certainly, all the cash - but there is a suggestion that there was more to it than europhile, Irish Government tactics.
For the only time in British political history - the votes were not tallied locally but were taken away to London and there was a delay in announcing the result.
We must ask why! Perhaps we should ask our old friend Robert Mugabe how he would have won a seemingly impossible vote.
Do I believe that it was rigged? - In all honesty - probably not, but there are times-a-many when I do seriously wonder.
