How seriously did Britain take European co-operation?

Took European co-operation seriously from 1945

Dunkirk Treaty 1947: UK join defensive alliance with France.
Brussels Treaty 1948: Extends the Dunkirk Treaty.
OEEC 1948: In UK interests to promote political and economic co-operation in Europe.
Council of Europe 1949: UK favourable to intergovernmental European ties.
NATO created 1949: Military alliance with US + 9 European countries.
Opposed Pleven plan but wanted to see Germany rearmed as part of NATO.

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1950: UK refuse to get involved with Pleven Plan, ECSC, Schuman Plan and EDC.
UK not willing to sacrifice sovereignty for closer ties with Europe, and less threatened by Germany than France.
UK refuse to join supranational organisations.
1957: UK refuse to join EEC - little economic benefits for UK.
Closer ties with Europe would undermine world power status.
Foreign policy based on maintaining special relationship with US and Empire/Commonwealth.
UK want to shape Europe but not be shaped by Europe.
1959: EFTA was formed to gain economic and political concessions from EEC.

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Apply to join EEC 1961.
Macmillan fills cabinet with pro-Europeans.
UK comes to realise that by joining the EEC they can retain world power status.

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