Just Out Of Curiosity

[albaqwerty]

I'm sure I could search engine but there's so many people who are more au fait than I about Common Market/European Union.

What was the population of the UK when voting to join the thing and what percentage thought it was a good idea? (wasn't the year 1972/1973?)

I think the population is now about 60 million, obviously not all elligiible to vote, as I say, just curious

[Jackdaw33]

We never voted to join; we voted to remain in 1975. Can't help with the figures.

[albaqwerty]

thanks Jack, I was but a nipper at the time (weren't we all?!)

Wasn't it Heath who signed us up without permission?

[EdmundD]

UK joined the EEC in 1973. According to Wikipedia the vote to remain in the EEC in 1975 was 17.4 million in favour 8.5 million against. There were 40 million registered voters.

[Jackdaw33]

Correct. Heath, who could not see past his European dream. The most arrogant PM in modern times. Got his comeuppance though, a cleverer politician would not have tried to mess with the likes of Enoch.

[Baldric]

Scroll and there a list of figures

http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2009/oct/21/uk-population-data-ons

[fiction-factory]

From memory I think the population of UK was pretty constant at around 55 million in the 1970s. I think it's now around 64 million

[albaqwerty]

Edmund, thank you very much for that, very kind of you.

Jack, he scared me more than the daleks or cybermen

[albaqwerty]

Balders, that's a lot of figures !!
could ask another question about what's the point of having a census and not enough schools/roads/hospitals being built but I'll leave that for another day :D

FF, I always thought it was about 55 million for ages too

[Jackdaw33]

Heath was widely expected to win the election in February, 1974. Enoch made sure that he didn't. I was in my second year at university at the time and remember it well.

[albaqwerty]

don't tell anyone, but I liked Enoch Powell

[Jackdaw33]

Enoch became a professor of Greek at the young age of 27. On the outbreak of war in 1939 he resigned his chair and enlisted as a private soldier. Within 6 years he had risen to the rank of brigadier. That's one impressive CV!

[albaqwerty]

a professor of Greek at 27?!!! that man had brains and a wonderful intelligent.
Didn't he stuff his lordship/knight-hood so he could still be in the House of Commons?

Some of them in 'there' aspire to the other place, heaven knows why.

[HansUrbancka]

Enoch was so right about things, just as Nigel Farage is. However, honest politicians are so often mocked by their parliamentary colleagues, who have snouts in troughs.

I shall avoid commenting on Mr Heath, apart from saying, I think he was a very unsavoury character.

Hans.

[Arksided]

I was born in 72 so know little difference to what was before, I think I honestly would have had a bigger interest at schooling age of History if My teacher at the time wasn't such a nobhead. He probably were a good teacher but think we took a dislike to each other.

No help to you Alba, but felt like sharing.

[Jackdaw33]

A knighthood does not debar you from sitting in the Commons; a peerage does. I don't think Enoch was offered either, though I may be wrong. You might be thinking of Tony Benn (2nd Viscount Stansgate) who disclaimed his peerage on succeeding his father.

[albaqwerty]

Jack, I did get it wrong - my apologies. It was Tony Benn.
I think he was a man of principles too

Arkie, you are a mere babe in arms being born in 72 :D xx

[Arksided]

I know Alba, a mere baby Angel in disguise as a vampire. Our Cupid can clarifi. Xx ;-)

[HansUrbancka]

@Jackdaw33...You are correct in saying that a peerage will debar one from sitting in the House of Commons. However it would Not debar one from being Prime Minister or a Member of the Cabinet.

Hans.

[albaqwerty]

am saying nuffink about you and Cupes lol

bad enuff Mamya and King scare me to bits lol

[albaqwerty]

afternoon Hans xx
Hope all is well with you and yours