FORTY one years ago then Prime Minister Harold Wilson announced that a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Community would be held on June 5, 1975.

Britain in the 1970s was a nation low on self-confidence, run by politicians whose guiding principle was solidarity and who could still remember an age when the strength of a country was determined by the manpower it could muster, rather than by its GDP.

BBC’s South Today programme came to Basingstoke town centre just before this vote to film local peoples’ opinion on the ‘in or out’ vote.

They are trying to track down the same people 41 years on to see if their views have changed. Do you recognise any of the people in the pictures? If so email newsdesk@basingstokegazette. co.uk.

In 1975 voters backed the UK’s continued membership of the European Economic Community by a large majority in the country’s first nationwide referendum.

Just over 67 per cent of voters supported the Labour government’s campaign to stay in the EEC, or Common Market, despite several cabinet ministers having come out in favour of British withdrawal.

The result was later hailed by Prime Minister Harold Wilson as a “historic decision”.

For him the victory came after a long and bruising campaign against many in his own party, following Labour’s promise to hold a vote in its election manifesto the previous October.

Faced with the referendum question, “Do you think the UK should stay in the European Community (Common Market)?” Britons voted “Yes” in most of the 68 administrative counties, regions and Northern Ireland. Only Shetland and the Western Isles voted against the EEC.

When the result was beyond doubt, the leaders of the proEurope camp emerged from private celebrations to thank campaign workers.

Then Home Secretary Roy Jenkins said: “It puts the uncertainty behind us. It commits Britain to Europe; it commits us to playing an active, constructive and enthusiastic role in it.”

The Conservatives were also campaigning to stay in the ECC.

Margaret Thatcher, elected Tory leader the previous February, said the “Yes” vote would not have happened without the Opposition’s support.

Members of the “No” campaign accepted their defeat and promised to work constructively within the EEC.

Britons will head to the polls again on June 23 this year.

With thanks to Marc Soundman, from Basingstoke Memories – People and Places. Email your Basingstoke memories to basingstoke memories@gmail.com. Pictures BBC South Today