MICHAEL HESELTINE has become the most prominent Tory since Edward Heath to publicly associate himself with 'European' cause in British politics. But other capitalist forces have made support for the EEC the basis of their entire politics.
The Liberal rebuilt 1950s onwards as the party which stood for membership of the 'modern' wesl methods of governiell. against the 'archaic Tories who had refused to join the Common Market when it was formed 1958 Before they formed the SDP the gang of four Jenkins, Owen, Williams, and Rogers - were identified as the pro-EEC curTell the Taken together Heath, Heseltine, the SDP, the Liberals form a group which can be identified as the 'EuroTories' — that is capitalist politicians who make central of their CULC for the DOlLICS its policies.
Looking at the politics of other parts of this current helps clarify what Heseltine arguing for wal around Westland.
Probably most coherent statements of the Euro-Tory view are the arDavid wrillen Owen. Owen, in his book A Future That Will Work, explains his strong support for the EEC, for Euronean militar development. But he makes clear that this does not imply any basic break with the United States.
Owen aroues: If is noi in Europe's interests to set out design contained defence structure without the United States.
Owen calls for the EEC states to have a bigger weight in dealing with the United States. He points 'We in Europe nov provide 91 per cent of the ground forces, 80 per cent of the main battle tanks and combat aircraft, and two thirds of the major ships in the European area of the (NATO) Alliance.
Owen argues that because of this: It would dangerois blind alley i0 going down continue into the 1990's without building up at a faster pace than hitherto the capacity to develop a specifically deence •• Doucy lo wor influence US policy within NATO.' Owen argues that the US has been abusing its position not only militarily but also economically. He 'Western Europe has tolerated a 10:1 imbalance transatlantic defence ment despite the fact that our own manufacturing industry has the skills and capacity to match those of the US. On economic and trading grounds alone, the European community can no longer stand aside from this imbalance.' Owen is totally favour of nuclear weapons and gives this as a key reason for the SDP's break with the Party: 'In Britain the postwar all-party UYCI defence went when the Labour Party finally endorsed the full unilateral nuclear disarmament position.
Alongside nuclear however Owen argues for a strong build up of conventional weapons: should special British contribution to Western Europe to maintain a strong navy ... (we) have a particular need grapple with ways of improving our conventional defence.' Alongside the maintenance of nuclear weapons. and the build up of conventional armaments. Owen advocates a 'social market' the same term used by Thatcher's characterise economic policies. Owen outdid even Thatcher his calls for attacks on the miners and for stronger laws against the unions.
Anyone reading Owen's writings will recognise Heseltine's politics mediately. defence build up; support for nuclear weapons; more powertul Europear military weight but strategic break the United States; strong attacks on the working class and trade unions. That is the politics. of the Euro: Tories.