In 1962, at the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’s Conference in London, the proposal of Britain’s entry into the Common Market was strongly opposed. France strongly opposed Britain’s entry into European Economic Community and the Common Market. President De Gaulle was not happy about Britain’s American connection. He apprehended that Britain’s membership would allow America to dominate European affairs. He said that it would produce “a colossal Atlantic grouping under dependence and control.” He was probably annoyed that Britain without consulting France, had agreed to receive Polaris Missiles from America. He was also furious because America did not make the same offer to France.
On the other hand, Britain believed that De Gaulle’s real motive was to dominate the community. With Britain’s arrival, she would have a serious rival. Finally, on January 1, 1973, Britain entered the EEC and this was made possible by the resignation of De Gaulle in 1969 and the next French President Georges Pompidou’s more friendly attitude towards Britain. Edward Health, the Conservative Prime Minister of Britain, pressed Britain’s claims strongly for joining the EEC. He was the successful Prime Minister who finally took Britain into Europe.